• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2023

Objectives: Active pulmonary tuberculosis (active PTB) is manifested in one of the complications of pneumoconiosis, but statistics are not available. The objective of the present study was to identify the incidence of active PTB among dusty workers who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis by year. Methods: The present study was performed using the results of the Pneumoconiosis Examination Council's assessment from the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL) database between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 2017. Pneumoconiosis is defined as Category 1 or more. Active PTB was defined as a positive result for active PTB in the result of the Pneumoconiosis Examination Council's assessment. The annual incidence rate of pneumoconiosis and active PTB were analyzed by age standardization. Results: The number of retired dusty workers who received the health examination for work-related pneumoconiosis increased every year. However, the incidence of pneumoconiosis among retired dusty workers and active PTB among patients with pneumoconiosis decreased every year. Conclusions: To effectively manage pneumoconiosis and active PTB among patients with pneumoconiosis, the annual status of them in retired dusty workers who received the health examination for work-related pneumoconiosis was required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.582-589
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• 2019

Objectives: Although active pulmonary tuberculosis(active PTB) is manifested as one of the complications of pneumoconiosis, attacks of active PTB among patients with pneumoconiosis is still unexplored. The objective of the present study was to identify the attack rate of active PTB among workers in dusty environments who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. Methods: The study was performed using the results of the Pneumoconiosis Examination Council's assessment from the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service(KCOMWEL) database between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 2017. Pneumoconiosis was defined as Category 1 or more in the radiological findings of pneumoconiosis. Active PTB was defined as a positive result for active PTB in the results of the Pneumoconiosis Examination Council's assessment. Results: A total of 37,946 workers in dusty environments who received a health examination for diagnosing pneumoconiosis between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 2017 were selected as study subjects. The attack rate of active TB among subjects who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis and those who were diagnosed without pneumoconiosis were 8.5% and 1.4%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic analysis including age, sex, radiological findings, complications, male[odds ratio(OR), 2.0; 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.4-3.1] and pneumoconiosis(OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 5.7-7.4) were associated with an increased risk of developing active PTB. Conclusions: The present study determined that dusty workers who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis had a high rate of active PTB compared to TB patients and patients who were diagnosed with silicosis. Therefore, in addition to silicosis, it is necessary to include pneumoconiosis among the high-risk groups for TB.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.2 s.24
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• pp.251-266
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• 1988

This study was planned in order to investigate coal miners' recognition and attitude toward pneumoconiosis, and its realtionship with related behavior for prevention of pneumoconiosis. Study object was coal miners in Kangneung area, sampled by multistage random proportional sampling. Sample size was 13% of total coal miners in Kangneung area. The results were devided into three parts: (1) descriptive results presented percent distribution, (2) reclassification of knowledge, experiences, and attitude by factor analysis, (3) prediction of health behavior for prevention of pneumoconiosis by discriminant analysis. Knowledge, experiences, and attitude toward pneumoconiosis were classified into nine factors. Knowledge about pneumoconiosis were broken down to two factors and attitude to four factors, and valence, perceived severity were classified into each one factor. According to demographic, socioeconomic characteristics, and factors of knowledge, experiences, attitude about pneumoconiosis, about 62% of behavior of wearing respiratory protector was correctly discriminated. And by the same methods, about 81% of behavior of hospital visit at respiratory symptoms; cough, sputum, chest pain etc. was discriminated correctly.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2024

This study was conducted to identify the pollutants generated by the fuel complex and to determine the health effects of the surrounding residents. In addition, based on the results of epidemiological surveys and health impact surveys of local residents, we analyze the distribution of patient groups and exposure characteristics according to the distance from the fuel complex boundary. Samples were collected from the briquette plant within the fuel complex and analyzed by SEM-EDXA, X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, and ICP. In addition, the distribution of patients and exposure characteristics were analyzed according to the distance from the fuel complex and yard boundaries. Analysis of briquette samples from the fuel complex showed that the average particle size was 10-30 ㎛, the shape was irregular, and SiO₂ accounted for more than 50%. It is believed that silica, which causes pneumoconiosis, may have been scattered into the air. In particular, there was a large distribution of 5 ㎛ particles that affect respiratory diseases. According to the analysis of the residential addresses and distribution of pneumoconiosis cases, many pneumoconiosis cases were located in the area between 200 and 500 meters from the boundary of the fuel complex. In addition, 28 pneumoconiosis cases were identified as a result of the epidemiological survey and health impact survey at the fuel complex. In detail, there were 8 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis, 6 cases of environmental pneumoconiosis, and 14 cases of occupational and environmental pneumoconiosis. The confirmed pneumoconiosis cases were located between 0.3 and 1.1 kilometers from the fuel complex. It was found that environmental pollutants generated by the fuel complex adversely affect the health of local residents. In particular, there are many cases of pneumoconiosis in the area between 200 and 500 meters from the boundary of the fuel complex, and this distance is considered to be the direct and indirect impact zone of the briquette plant.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.3 s.27
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• pp.328-336
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• 1989

27 shipyard welders were diagnosed as pneumoconiosis and suspected pneumoconiosis(1976-1988) by chest radiographs and were observed over three years. 27 welders were divided into three groups by the state of exposure to welding fume i.e. cessation, decresase or continuity of exposure. And we observed the changing pattern of the chest radiographs of 27 welders with the passage of time. The results were as follows; 1. Grour I (ceased exposure to welding fume) were 10 cases(3 cases: suspected pneumoconiosis,7 cases: pneumoconiosis). Chest radiographs of all cases were improved. The shape and size of small opacities was improved in 6 cases(85.7%) and did not changed in 1 case(14.3%) out of 7 pneumoconiosis welders. 2. Group II (decreased exposure to welding fume) were S cases(2 cases: suspected pneumoconiosis, 3 cases: pneumoconiosis). Chest radiographs were progressed in 2 cases(40%), did not changed in 1 case(20%), were improved in 2 cases(40%) out of 5 cases. The shape and size of small opacities was progressed in 1 case(33.3%) and was improved in 2 cases(66.7%) out of 3 pneumoconiosis welders. 3. Group III(continued expoxsure to welding fume) were 12 cases(1 case: suspected pneumoconiosis, 11 cases: pneumoconiosis). Chest radiographs were progressed in 9 cases(75%), did not changed in 3 cases(25%) out of 12 cases. The shape and size of small opacities was progressed in 1 case(9.1%) and did not changed in 10 cases(90.9%) out of 11 pneumoconiosis welders. 4. The average duration for development into suspected pneumoconiosis was 6.6 years and for progression of each one category after that was 2.2 years(p<0.01). The radiological appearance of pneumoconiosis had disappeared or decreased after cessation of exposure to the welding fume. So that, early detection and control e.g., change of department of pneumoconiosis of welders by screening program will be important for medical surveillance of welders.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.220-230
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• 2004

Purpose: The study has planned to find out the perceived social support of the families with pneumoconiosis patients. Method: The subjects of the study were the 300 family care givers of the pneumoconiosis patients who were hospitalized in Taeback, Donghae and Jeongsun Occupational Medical Center. The Social Support Survey Instrument developed by Park(1985) was adopted. Results: The Direct Perceived Supports showed statistically differences by the age(F=1.70 p=0.01) and the state of the disease(F=3.09 p=0.027) of the patients. The Health Situation Centered Support was different by the marietal situation(F=2.29 p=0.48) of the pneumoconiosis patients. The Indirect Perceived Supports were statistically different by sex(t=3.76 p=0.043) and relation with the patient (F=2.49 p=0.048), group joining(t=3.79 p=0.042) of the family care givers. The DPSs were statistically different by family income(F=2.25 p=0.025), family authority(F=2.81 p=0.031) and health insurance status(F=2.13 p=0.026). Recommendation: It is recommended to develop an active social support program at the pneumoconiosis care centers for the middle aged female family care givers of the pneumoconiosis patients with the support of Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare and other NGOs of pneumoconiosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.20 no.1 s.21
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• pp.158-164
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• 1987

The purpose of this study is to analyze occupational history of coal miners with pneumoconiosis. In this study, occupational characteristics of 49 coal miners with pneumoconiosis were compared with those of 45 coal miners without pneumoconiosis but in similar age category($43{\sim}52$ years of age) based on interview survey. Various indices on occupational characteristics were developed for the following areas: duration of employment, perception of working condition, working density, dust concentration, temperature, humidity, and experience of respirator wearings. Perception of working condition were measured in 5 points scales but experiences of respirator wearing was measured in 3 points scale. Each index was multiplied by duration of employment. From the analysis, only the experience of respirator wearing showed statistically significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, respirator wearing seemed to be effective in reducing occurrence of pneumoconiosis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2010

Inhaled inorganic dusts, such as coal, can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, known as pneumoconiosis. Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis depends on morphological changes by radiological findings and functional change by pulmonary function test (PFT). Unfortunately, current diagnostic findings are limited only to lung fibrosis, which is usually irreversibly progressive. Therefore, it is important that research on potential and prospective biomarkers for pneumoconiosis should be conducted prior to initiation of irreversible radiological or functional changes in the lungs. Analytical techniques using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) or exhaled gas are non-invasive methods for detection of various respiratory diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers, such as EBC pH or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ($FE_{NO}$), and pneumoconiosis among 120 retired coal miners (41 controls and 79 pneumoconiosis patients). Levels of EBC pH and FENO did not show a statistically significant difference between the pneumoconiosis patient group and pneumoconiosis patients with small opacity classified by International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in the low percentage $FEV_1$ (< 80%) was lower than that in the high percentage (80% $\leq$) (p = 0.023). The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in current smokers was lower than that in non smokers (never or past smokers) (p = 0.027). Although there was no statistical significance, the levels of $FE_{NO}$ in smokers tended to decrease, compared with non smokers, regardless of pneumoconiosis. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between the level of EBC pH or $FE_{NO}$ and radiological findings or PFT. The effects between exhaled biomarkers and pneumoconiosis progression, such as decreasing PFT and exacerbation of radiological findings, should be monitored.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.3 s.31
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• pp.262-273
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• 1990

In order to assess the method which is more sensitive one to detect the early change of lung tissue by the inhaled dust, we have performed the various medical examinations such as chest radiography, pulmonary function test, high resolution chest CT, brnchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy used bronchoscope and ultrathin bronchoscopy examination to 48 persons. The control group were 8 persons who did not exposed to dust, 40 cases of the experimental group have professionally exposed to the mineral dust. The results were as follows 1. The total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group classified by chest and high resolution chest CT. 2. The composition rate of macrophage to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly decreased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 3. The composition rate of neutophils and lymphocytes to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 4. The forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_{1-0}$), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMF), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were significantly increased only in the group of the progressed pneumoconiosis relatively. 5. We observed submucosal edema, anthracotic pigmentation and granuloma formation in transbronchial lung biopsy of the suspected pneumoconiosis (category 0/1) case which is thought to the early change of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

Occupational long-term exposure to inorganic dusts may cause a variety of lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis and COPD, however, is currently dependent on radiological findings and pulmonary test, which are both late diagnostic tools. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel biomarkers in pneumoconiosis and COPD. Hence, in this current study we investigated the serum concentrations of YKL-40, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) as biomarkers for pneumoconiosis and COPD in 161 retired male workers exposed to inorganic dusts. The serum concentration of YKL-40 was significantly increased with age, pneumoconiosis, and airflow limitation. The serum concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in airflow limitation. These results suggest that serum concentration of YKL-40 is associated with age, pneumoconiosis, and airflow limitation. Also, serum concentration of IL-6 is associated with airflow limitation.