Seasonal Variations of the Urinary N-Methylformamide Concentration among Workers at a Synthetic Leather Factory / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to identify seasonal variations of urinary concentrations of N-methylformamide (NMF) among workers employed at a synthetic leather factory. METHODS: Study subjects consisted of 16 male and 6 female workers who were involved in the direct treatment of dimethylformamide (DMF) in a synthetic leather factory. By using health examination data and the results of air measurements and biologic monitoring conducted in February and July, 2001, we identified seasonal variations of the DMF concentrations in the air and NMF concentrations in urine. RESULTS: 1) In winter and summer, average temperatures at the working sites were 3.2 degrees C and 26.5 degrees C, respectively and average humidities were 35.4 % and 84.5 %, respectively. 2) Airborne DMF concentrations were not significantly different between summer (13.78 ppm) and winter (11.55 ppm). 3) NMF concentrations in urine were found to be significantly higher in summer (96.09 mg/g creatinine) than in winter (31.23 mg/g creatinine) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The seasonal difference in the urinary excretion values of NMF may be due to increased dermal absorption of DMF with the higher ambient temperature and humidity in summer and the increased area of exposed skin.

The occupational hazards of interns & residents during training / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTS: Residents are exposed to various hazards and harassed by sleep deficiency due to overwork. This study was performed to outline the health condition of residents and develop the ways of improving it. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to 881 army doctors who enrolled at the Korea Third Military Academy and The Armed Force Health Service School in 2000 with the exception of medical doctors who joined the armed service without going through intern and resident periods , dental and oriental medical doctors. 784 (89.0%) of the 881 questionnaires were returned of which 704 cases (79.9%). This should actually be 89.0% were regarded for analyses as being reliable data. RESULTS: More than 20% of residents were exposed to radiation, laser, disinfectants, anesthetic gas, and anticancer drugs during their training periods with preventive measures for each of these hazards taken in about 10% of the cases of the lesser hazards but in about 35% for the hazards from radiation and laser. 91.1% of residents had experience of needlestick injuries during their training periods with over 36.3% being exposed to patients with infection during that time. The cases contracting HBV and HCV diseases due to pricking are 2.3 and 0.6% respectively. The average number of night duties per month during a one-year resident's period was about 19. The average sleeping time on duty during a one-year residents was less than 4 hours .28.4% of respondents were not satisfied with their occupation, 96.5% felt tired from overwork and 69.5% wanted to change their occupation to another that would pay the same salary. CONCLUSION: Residents are exposed to harmful physical , chemical and biological factors, but the preventive care seldom undertaken. In addition, their overwork brings about lack of sleep which causes them problems when giving medical treatment to patients during their training periods. Despite the resident's interest in an occupation as a doctor, many intend to select other occupations if they can receive the same salary. According to the above results, preventative systems and measures should be prepared with environmental improvements for residents, and proper rewards for their overwork should be accomplished.