• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.490-501
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• 1992

TDI 기관지 유발검사상 TDI-천식으로 확진된 환자 22명을 대상으로 이들의 임상적 특징에 관한 고찰과 함께 메타콜린 기관지유발검사 및 TDI-, MDI-, HDI-HSA conjugate에 대한 특이 IgE 항체를 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) TDI 기관지유발검사상에서는 조기 반응형이 11예(50%), 후기단독 반응형이 6예(27%), 그리고 이중 반응형이 5예(23%)였다. 2) 메타콜린 기관지유발검사상 19예(86.4%)가 양성반응을, 3예(13.6%)가 음성반응을 보였으며, 이들 음성반응자들은 TDI 기관지유발검사 24시간후에 다시 시행한 메타콜린 기관지유발검사에서는 기도과민성을 나타내었다. 3) Isocyanate에 대한 특이 IgE 항체의 측정 결과 TDI-HSA에 대해서는 12예(54.5%), MDI-HSA에 대해서는 7예(31.8%), 그리고 HDI-HSA conjugate에 대해서는 9예(40.9%)가 양성반응을 보였으며, 특이 IgE의 양성률은 잠복기, 아토피유무 및 흡연상태와는 상관관계가 없었다. 4) 추적검사가 가능했던 12예에서 기도과민증의 호전을 보였던 예는 8예였는데, 이 중 7예는 isocyanate 노출에의 회피가 가능했던 경우였고 1예는 계속적으로 노출되어 있었음에도 불구하고 호전된 경우였으며, 악화되었던 4예 중 2예는 계속적으로 노출되어 있었던 경우, 그리고 2예는 회피에도 불구하고 악화을 보인 경우였다. 이상의 결과로 isocyanate에 의한 직업성 천식 환자의 59.1%에서 IgE 매개에 의한 기관지 수축반응이 의심되었으며, 메타콜린 기관지유발검사상 음성반응을 보인다고 하더라도 병력상 isocyanate에 의한 직업성 천식이 의심되면 isocyanate-기관지유발검사를 시행하고 그 이후 지도 과민증의 변화를 관찰하는 것이 진단에 유용할 것으로 여겨진다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.735-749
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate airborne pollen counts, inhalant allergen sensitization rate, and allergic disease prevalence among elementary school children in Ulsan, South Korea during 2012-2018. Methods: Burkard samplers for pollen were installed on rooftops in suburban and urban areas in Ulsan. A 24-hour sampling of airborne allergens was conducted six days/week from January 1, 2013 to November 31, 2018. Skin prick tests were done with a total of 4,246 primary school students residing in urban and suburban areas in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. This study examined sensitization to 20 major inhalant allergens. Results: The highest monthly counts of airborne pollen were observed in April and September each year. Among the pollen identified over the six years, pine showed the highest pollen counts (44.3%), followed by oak (22.3%), alder (6.3%) and Japanese hops (4.3%). Tree pollen predominated from March to June, and weed pollen predominated from August to October. Higher sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were observed in Dermatophagoides farinae (42.4%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (43.6%), cat fur (12.1%), birch (9.9%), oak (9.6%), and alder (8.7%). The inhalant allergen sensitization rate was highest in the group with comorbidity (asthma and/or rhinitis and atopic dermatitis), and respiratory allergic disease (asthma and/or rhinitis) was higher than that of atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Both the counts of tree pollen in the air and the sensitization rate for tree pollen were high in Ulsan. The temporal change in respiratory allergic diseases was similar to that for the sensitization rate of tree pollen, such as oak. In the future, it is considered that additional continuous research on various inhalant allergens and pollen should be conducted.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.612-619
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine health problems and to estimate economic impact based on health problems of workers. Methods: The subjects of this study consisted of 301 workers who received a group occupational health service. Data was collected from February 1 to March 30, 2006. The questionnaire contained questions based on general characteristics and the Stanford Presenteeism Scale. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test using SPSS program. Results: The primary health conditions as reported by workers were ranked in order as stomach or bowel disorders, back or neck disorders, or liver function disorders. The reason of absenteeism per worker was ranked in order as asthma, or a breathing disorder. The reason of presenteeism was ranked in order as asthma, insomnia or a sleep disorder. The cost of the total economic impact on the workplace in this study was 8,851,838 won. The cost of absenteeism per worker was 8,390 won. The cost of presenteeism per worker was 941,732 won. Conclusion: Presenteeism had a strong correlation to health conditions of the workers. Therefore, improving the work conditions of the workers is very important. If employers improve the health condition of workers, they will benefit from improved productivity in their business.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.839-846
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• 2016

Objective: To examine the effects of Hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami (荊防導赤散加味方) which has been used in asthmatic patients in Korean Medicine. Methods: Five asthmatic patients were enrolled who had visited Semyung University Korean Medical Hospital from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. They were examined by a pulmonary function test and completed the Quality of Life Questionnaire for adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA) before and after taking Hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami for 3 weeks. All data were analyzed by paired t-tests. Results: After treatment with Hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami for 3 weeks, Forced Expiratory Volume 1 sec (FEV 1.0) improved significantly (p=0.01) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) showed an increase of 20% in results examined by Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). The results of the QLQAKA indicated that the main improvements occurred in theitems associated with theactivity domain. Conclusions: This study suggests that Hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami is effective in improving pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with asthma. More extensive study is needed in the future.

• 대한치과기공학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.9-21
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the cause and prevalence of occupational skin disease in dental technicians working in Seoul, Korea. and to investigate the relation between these work condition and skin disease of the hand, wrist and forearm. This study was based on the Nordic occupational skin questionnaire(NOSQ), a self-administrated questionnaire which was modified to investigate the dental technician's occupational factors in domestic circumstances. The number was distributed to 500 dental technicians who participated in annual continuing education for dental technicians of the Seoul metropolitan area in April 2006. Of the subjects, 62(30.4%) had eczema and 70(32.9%) had urticaria, as diagnosed. Of the subjects with the symptoms of urticaria, 30 complained of atopic dermatitis, 65 complained of allergic rhinitis, 56 complained of allergic conjunctivitis, and 18 complained of asthma. The group with atopic history had a higher frequency of eczema or urticaria than the group without atopic history. From multiple regression analysis, the group who had a history of atopic dermatitis also had high symptom rates of eczema. The group who had a history of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis had high symptom rates of urticaria. The urticaria symptom rates were higher in those wearing gloves than those who did not for the type of work.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.29-34
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• 2006

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in the development of allergic disorders including asthma. Cigarette smoking was reported to elevate serum IgE level and air pollutants such as $NO_{2}$ have been reported to modulate the immune system including inflammation. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were reported to affect inflammatory diseases including asthma. Therefore, in the present study we tried to investigate whether tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure increases the level of IgE and the GST gene polymorphisms are associated with change of IgE level due to tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure. We measured urinary cotinine, personal $NO_{2}$ exposure, and serum IgE levels in 300 healthy university students without allergic disorders. Allelic loss of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the GSTP1 (lle105Val) polymorphism were determined by PCR and RFLP. Total serum IgE levels were significantly different according to urinary cotinine levels (P=0.046), while $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter level and genetic polymorphisms of three GSTs were not associated with total IgE level. Moreover, subjects with cotinine $500\;{\mu}g/g$ creatinine or more showed the highest level of total IgE when they had null type of GSTM1, null type of GSTT1, or variant type of GSTP1 (P<0.05). When we considered IgE level according to urinary cotinine levels in strata with the combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms, the subjects with GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 variant types showed the largest difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to cotinine levels (P=0.030). However, there was no significant difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter levels in any group with combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms. This result suggests that smoking increases allergic response measured as IgE level and combinations of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorph isms modify the effect of smoking on serum IgE level.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.178-187
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• 2016

Objectives: Diisocyanates are a potent inducer of diseases of the airways, especially asthma. In this study, toluenediamine(TDA) and methylenedianiline(MDA) in urine were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure to tolunenediisocyanate(TDI) and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(MDI), respectively. Methods: Workers exposed to TDI and MDI, as well as non-occupationally exposed subjects, were studied and pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected from 8 control subjects and 8 workers from a factory which manufactures polyurethane products for reducing noise and vibration in automobiles. Airborne TDI and MDI(n=8) were sampled on solvent-free glass filters impregnated with n-butylamine and detected by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary TDA and MDA were detected as pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride(PFPA) derivatives by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The median levels of urinary 2,6-TDA(p<0.001), 2,4-TDA(p=0.001), and MDA(p<0.001) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of controls. The median levels of urinary 2,6-0TDA($0.63{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $0.34{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) and MDA($4.21{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $3.18{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of the pre-shift samples. There were significant correlations between the urinary 2,6-TDA, 2,4-TDA, and MDA of workers in post-shift samples and the airborne 2,6-TDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001), 2,4-TDI(rho=0.833, p=0.001), and MDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001). Conclusions: These urinary diamines, metabolites of diisocyanates, in post-shift samples were useful biomarkers to assess occupational exposure to diisocyanates.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.390-397
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• 2023

Introduction: Biological risks are a major global problem in the workplace. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the biological risks at work. This study presents data on both communicable infectious biological agents and noncommunicable factors leading to death and disability for the year 2021. Methods: We followed the methodology established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in their past global estimates on occupational accidents and work-related diseases. We used relevant ILO estimates for hazardous substances and related population attributable fractions derived from literature, which were then applied to World Health Organization mortality data. The communicable diseases included in the estimates were tuberculosis, pneumococcal diseases, malaria, diarrheal diseases, other infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, influenza associated respiratory diseases and COVID-19. Noncommunicable diseases and injuries considered were Chronic Obstructive Diseases (COPD) due to organic dusts, asthma, allergic reactions and risks related to animal contact. We estimated death attributable to biological risk at work and disability in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: We estimated that in 2022, 550,819 deaths were caused by biological risk factors, with 476,000 deaths attributed to communicable infectious diseases and 74,000 deaths caused by noncommunicable factors. Among these, there were 223,650 deaths attributed to COVID-19 at work. We calculated the rate of 584 DALYs per 100,000 workers, representing an 11% increase from the previous estimate of the global burden of work-related disabilities measured by DALYs. Conclusion: This is a first update since previous 2007 ILO estimates, which has now increased by 74% and covers most biological risks factors. However, it is important to note that there may be other diseases and deaths are missing from the data, which need to be included when new information becomes available. It is also worth mentioning that while deaths caused by major communicable diseases including COVID-19 are relatively rare within the working population, absences from work due to these diseases are likely to be very common within the active workforce.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제20권7호
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• pp.799-809
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is aimed at identifying the influential factors on the pulmonary function of ordinary residents in the surrounding areas of Yeosu Industrial Complex. Methods: The PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted on the target residents numbering 989 people (male 361, female 628). The exposed group (813 people) resided within the radius of 5km from Yeosu Industrial Complex and the control group (176 people) resided in the radius of more than 15 km from May 2007 to November 2007. The survey also took into account other factors including personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories, and the living environments of the residents in order to further identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Result: When comparing the PFT values of the exposure groups to the control group of the same city, values of the exposure groups were meaningfully lower with an %$FEV_1$ of 107.05% and %FVC of 100.28%. Conversely, the control group reported an %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of 107.26% and 102.85% respectively, indicating that ambient air pollutants reduce lung function. The odds ratio of asthma diagnosis history increased when a subjects residence was close to a heavily trafficked road, traffic amount was huge, a bed was used, and the family had less than four members. However the results were not statistically meaningful. The odds ratios of abnormal pulmonary function were statistically higher among those with asthma(OR=4.29, CI=1.75-10.56), wheezing (OR=2.59, CI=1.24-5.41), and nasal congestion (OR=2.87, CI=1.36-6.08) (p<0.01). The factors affecting $FEV_1$ were symptoms including asthma, passive smoking and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.049, p<0.001). For the FVC symptoms including asthma ($R^2$=0.014, p<0.001) were measured. The analysis showed that FVC decreased with increases in $O_3$ and CO(p<0.01). Furthermore, $FEV_1$ decreased with increases in $O_3$(p<0.01). Conclusions: These results will provide preliminary data for establishing responsive measures to protect the health of residents in industrial complexes from air pollution, and to develop lasting environmental health policies.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.182-192
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to identify the influential factors on the pulmonary function of targeted general residents in the areas surrounding Gwangyang Steel Mill. Methods: An PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted from May 2007 to November 2007 on 974 target residents (438 male, 536 female), including an exposed group (674 people) who resided within a radius of 5 km from Gwangyang Steel Mill in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do and a control group (300 people) who resided outside a radius of 15 km. A survey related to personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories and living environments of the residents was also conducted to identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Results: As %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of the exposed group are 99.17% and 96.98%, respectively, and those of the control group are 105.47% and 101.91%, respectively, with the PFT values of the exposed group being lower than those of the control group (p<0.001), it turns out that the pollution in the industrial complex is likely to trigger a reduction in the pulmonary function of local residents. The odds ratio analysis result for asthma diagnosis history indicates that the odds ratios tend to be higher among surveyed residents who are living near above-average traffic volumes and are using beds, where it is statistically meaningful that especially the odds ratios are higher if the residences are closer to roads (p<0.01, CI=1.12-4.52). The factors that affect the FEV1 are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history, nasal congestion symptoms and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.154, p<0.001). The factors that affect the FVC are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history and allergic coryza ($R^2$=0.158, p<0.001). In addition, the analysis result for the relevance of air pollution levels to pulmonary function ($FEV_1$, FVC) shows that FEV1 and FVC tend to decrease as the concentration of $O_3$ increases. Conclusions: We believe that this study may provide preliminary data for the development of preventive measures for health effects on the residents and environmental health control measures for environmental pollution in the industrial complex area.