• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제1권2호
• /
• pp.134-139
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The lung cancer mortality in Korea has increased remarkably during the last 20 years, and has been the first leading cause of cancer-related deaths since 2000. The aim of the current study was to examine the time trends of occupational lung cancer and carcinogens exposure during the period 2006-2009 in South Korea, by assessing the proportion of occupational burden. Methods: We defined occupational lung cancer for surveillance, and developed a reporting protocol and reporting website for the surveillance of occupational lung cancer. The study patients were chosen from 9 participating university hospitals in the following 7 areas: Seoul, Incheon, Wonju, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and Gwangju. Results: The combined proportion of definite and probable occupational lung cancer among all lung cancers investigated in this study was 10.0%, 8.6%, 10.7%, and 15.8% in the years 2006 to 2009, respectively, with an average of 11.7% over the four-year study period. The main carcinogens were asbestos, crystalline silica, radon, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel exhaust particles, chromium, and nickel. Conclusion: We estimated that about 11.7% of the incident lung cancer was preventable. This reveals the potential to considerably reduce lung cancer by intervention in occupational fields.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.793-796
• /
• 2014

Background: This study aimed to examine possible effects of implementing a national query program on site-specific cancer mortality rates. Materials and Methods: A total of 2,874 query letters were sent out by the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan between January 2009 and December 2011 to medical certifiers who reported "neoplasm with uncertain nature" on the death certificate asking for more detailed information for coding. Results: Of the 2,571 responses, in 1,398 cases (54%) medical certifiers were still unable to determine the nature of the neoplasm. There were four neoplasm sites for which more than 50% of the responses changed the category to malignant, the gastrointestinal system (73%), urinary system (60%), stomach (55%) and rectum (53%). The liver was the cancer site that showed the largest absolute increase in the number of deaths after the query; however, the brain showed the largest relative increase, at 12%. Conclusions: Different neoplasm sites showed different magnitudes of change in nature after the query. Brain cancer mortality rates exhibited the largest increase.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제33권2호
• /
• pp.165-171
• /
• 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in a polymerization reaction in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in many consumer products, including plastics, polyvinyl chloride, food packaging, dental sealants, and thermal receipts. However, there is little information available on the inhalation toxicity of BPA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine its inhalation toxicity and effects on the estrous cycle, spatial learning, and memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 10, 30, and $90mg/m^3$ BPA, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks via whole-body inhalation. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry, estrous cycle parameters, performance in the Morris water maze test, and organ weights, as well as gross and histopathological findings, were compared between the control and BPA exposure groups. Statistically significant changes were observed in serum chemistry and organ weights upon exposure to BPA. However, there was no BPA-related toxic effect on the body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, estrous cycle, performance in the Morris water maze test, or gross or histopathological lesions in any male or female rats in the BPA exposure groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for BPA in rats is above $90mg/m^3$/6 hr/day, 5 days/week upon 8-week exposure. Furthermore, BPA did not affect the estrous cycle, spatial learning, or memory in rats.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제5권2호
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2014

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of occupational mortality in miners exposed to coal mine dust. Although the inflammatory mediators involved in COPD have not been defined, many studies have shown that inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in orchestrating the complex inflammatory process in COPD. Methods: To investigate the relevance of exhaled biomarkers of oxidative and nitrosative stress in participants with COPD, we determined the levels of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in 90 retired elderly coal miners (53 non-COPD and 37 COPD participants). Results: Mean levels of MDA (4.64 nMvs. 6.46 nM, p = 0.005) and 3-NT (3.51 nMvs. 5.50 nM, p = 0.039) in EBC were significantly higher in participants with COPD. The median level of MDA did show statistical difference among the COPD severities (p = 0.017), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve forMDA (0.67) for the diagnostic discrimination of COPD indicated the biomarker. The optimal cutoff values were 5.34 nM (64.9% sensitivity and 64.2% specificity) and 5.58 nM (62.2% sensitivity and 62.3% specificity) forMDA and 3-NT, respectively. The results suggest that high levels ofMDA and 3-NT in EBC are associated with COPD in retired elderly miners. Conclusion: These results showed that the elevated levels of EBC MDA and EBC 3-NT in individuals with COPD are biomarkers of oxidative or nitrosative stress.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to obtain scientific information regarding classification and health hazards that may result from a 13 weeks inhalation exposure of isoprene in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The testing method was conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals No. 413. The Rats were divided into 4 groups (10 male and 10 female rats in each group) and exposed to 0, 360, 1,620, 7,300 ppm isoprene in each exposure chamber for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks. As a result, there were no mortality or abnormality during the period of study and did not show any significant changes of body weight. There were no dose response changes in urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemical value examination. Relative organ weight was increased significantly the right kidney in 7,300 ppm group of male rats. In female rats, relative organ weight of the left kidney and the both lungs in 1,620 ppm group and the left lung and the both kidneys in 7,300 ppm group were increased significantly. But the histopathological findings did not reveal any exposure-related changes. According to the above results, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of isoprene was 7,300 ppm (20.3 mg/L) in both male and female rats. In conclusion, Isoprene was not classified specific target organ toxicity of the 'Standard for Classification and Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet' (Ministry of Employment and Labor, 2009).

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2015

행정구역상 읍/면/동 단위의 소지역 (small area)별로 질병위험의 차이에 대한 분석을 위해, 2005년 기준 서울 행정동을 기준으로 2005년부터 2008년까지 질병, 사고, 암 사망자료에 대한 표준화 사망률 (SMR; standardized mortality rate)을 고려하였다. 소지역 단위로 질병사망률을 직접 추정하는 것은 소지역 내 표본수가 작아, 개발 소지역 단위에서의 직접 계산된 SMR은 그 추정치의 정도 (precision) 확보가 어려운 문제점이 발생한다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 각 소지역간 효과 추정을 위해 공간적 상관성 (spatial correlation)을 가지는 다단계 일반화 선형모형 (HGLM; hierarchical generalized linear models)을 고려하였다. 이를 통해, 서울지역 동별 주요 사망원인에 따른 공변량의 효과 및 추정된 SMR을 근거로 질병지도 결과를 제시하였다.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.247-253
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Multimorbidity is defined as the coexistence of multiple chronic diseases within a person. This study explores the burden of multimorbidity in the working population, focusing on the recent increase in elderly workers in Korea. Methods: We summarized past empirical or theoretical literature. Results: Previous literature shows that about 80% of the elderly are multimorbid, and more than half of people with chronic disease have two or more chronic conditions. Multimorbidity is a common phenomenon in the elderly working population. However, little is known about its prevalence, the factors related to its unequal distribution among workers, and its effects on health outcome measures such as mortality, medical use, and employment decisions. Conclusion: This study asks researchers to focus on a subgroup analysis employing data on the working population. Health professionals need to develop clinical guidelines for multimorbid patients. As multimorbidity is a major health concern in the working elderly, prevention and control should be promoted in the workplace.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.346-354
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the changes and regional differences of mortality and morbidity particularly respiratory system diseases in the area of exposure to coal dust(Ansim area, Dong-gu, Daegu). Methods: The authors analyzed secondary data(cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data) for respiratory system diseases. We calculated age standardized incidence ratio(SIR), mortality ratio(SMR), and health care utilization ratio(SHR) using those data. Results: There were no significant differences between Ansim area(or Dong-gu, Daegu) and the control area for cancer registration data and mortality data. In the results for the health insurance data, significant increased SHR in asthma was observed compared to the control area. Conclusions: Although confounders such as selection bias were not clearly ruled out, our findings reveal increased asthma SHR in the area of exposure to coal dust. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the increasing respiratory disease due to exposure to coal dust.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제39권4호
• /
• pp.335-345
• /
• 2013

Objectives: As the suspicion was raised that 'Agent Orange' was reclaimed 30 years ago at Camp Carol, located in Waegwan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the government conducted an investigation of the influence of environmental and health effects around Camp Carol through a public-private joint investigation team. As part of the investigation of population health effects, this study was carried out in order to observe changes and regional differences in diseases, particularly cancer, by year. Methods: We authors conducted an analysis of secondary health data, such as cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data. We drew an age standardized incidence ratio (SIR), death rate (SDR), mortality ratio (SMR), and health care utilization rate using these data. Results: For gastric cancer in women, and other cancers in men, a significant increase in incidence was observed compared to the control area. For biliary tract cancer, gallbladder cancer, and thyroid cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men, a significant decrease in incidence was observed compared to the control area. In the national statistical analysis of data, such as health insurance data and mortality data, we did not observe a significant increase at the Waegwan region compared to other regions. Conclusions: We must consider the limitations of this study. Because thirty years have passed from the time of the estimated landfill of 'Agent Orange', recent national statistical data may not reflect the past real situation. Therefore, the monitoring of secondary data for health effects at the municipal level should be carried out continuously.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2006

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between regional material deprivation and the standardized mortality ratios(SMRs) of community residents aged 15-64 in Korea. Methods: SMRs were investigated using the registered death data from 1995 to 2000 that was obtained from the Korean National Statistics Office with the denominators being drawn from the 1995 to 2000 census. Material deprivation was measured using the Townsend score that was calculated from the 1995 to 2000 census. The relationship between the regional material deprivation and the SMRs of the community residents aged 15-64 was investigated by using ANOVA, Spearman's rank correlation analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis. The trends in mortality inequality were investigated using the concentration index. Results: On the ANOVA, the SMRs of the men and women residents in the least deprived areas were the smallest and those in the most deprived areas were the largest. Spearman's rank correlation analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis and the concentration index revealed that significant positive relationships exist between the regional material deprivation and the SMRs of the community residents aged 15-64. Conclusions: This study suggests that there are mortality inequalities among the communities in Korea and part of this difference is due to the material deprivation of the community. Strategies aimed at reducing mortality inequalities among the communities will be needed to address economic inequalities. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of how the regional deprivation influences on health and how the other factors of the community influence on the health of the community residents.