The Relationship between Occupational Lead Exposure and Minor Hearing Impairment / 대한산업의학회지

In this study the relationship between occupational lead exposure and minor hearing impairment was investigated in a cross-sectional design with 50 lead exposed workers from January to April 1994, The data were collected from the interview with the structured questionnaire which included sociodemographic variables and medical histories especially ear disease and occupational histories. Lead exposure indices which were blood lead, urine lead, zinc protoporphyrin in urine, and delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine were analyzed, Also study subjects were examined pure-tone hearing test. The results were as follows ; 1. There were significant differences in lead indices between lead-exposed workers and non-exposed workers. 2. The duration of lead exposure did not affect the hearing impairment among lead exposed workers. 3. Minor hearing impairment were higher in lead-exposed workers than non-exposed workers, but there were not statisticatly significant. The result from this study indicated that lead exposed workers should be monitored to prevent hearing impairment and would be needed health education.

A Survey on the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptom accord ing to Work Task / 예방의학회지

Though people occupationally exposed to machineries and automation in the industrialized society desire work involving decreased strength, due to the continuous and repetitive activities, a new industrial stress is present. Studies on prevalence of musculoskeletal disease and their related risk factors have evolved. In this study in relation to work tasks, we investigated the differences in musculoskeletal symptoms occurring in each body region. The results of the survey were as follows. 1. When comparing age, level of education, work duration, job satisfaction and leisure time activities according to work risk, age in control group was 32.83+/-5.5, in comparison to the other 2 groups was smaller(p<0.05), and level of education in control group was higher(p<0.05) Work duration in the cutting department as 8.04+/-4.99 years longer than the other 2 groups(p<0.05), but there was no difference in the job satisfaction and leisure time activities. 2. The mean of symptom scores of each work task was 1.54 in the cutting department, 1.57 in the press department and 1.59 in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the 3 groups. The mean of symptom scores for upper extremities in the control group was low but mo statistically significant difference was shown. 3. When comparing the mean of symptom score according to work task in the each body region, in the shoulder region, the symptom score in the press department which desired strength was higher than the other 2 groups but no significant difference was shown. In the wrist region the cutting department scored 1.01 and in comparison to the other 2 groups was significantly increased(p<0.05). 4. The results of the univariate regression analysis on the major individual risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptom relating work showed that previous symptom complaints in the same body region was significant risk factor(p<0.001) in the whole body, Besides wrist, hip, and knee, psychological problem was shown to be a significant factor(p<0.05). And the body regions which work task was significant risk factor were wrist and neck region(p<0.05). 5. The results of the multiple regression analysis involving significant factors of each body region from the unfavorite regression analysis showed that previous symptom shoulder, elbow and lumbar region(p<0.001) and psychological problem in the shoulder, elbow and lumbar region(p<0.05) were significant factors, and work task was significant factor in the wrist(p<0.05).