Prevalence of Occupational Asthma in TDI-Exposed Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma in toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposed workers. METHODS: We examined 170 workers who had been directly exposed to TDI through a medical questionnaire, physical examination, and pulmonary function test. Based on screening examination, workers with suspected occupational asthma were selected for further evaluation such as methacholine and TDI challenge tests. RESULTS: Eleven (6.9%) among 170 workers complained of symptoms of occupational asthma, and 7 among these 11 symptomatic workers showed positive responses to the methacholine challenge test (4.1%). One spray painter was confirmed as having the TDI induced occupational asthma following a positive response to TDI challenge test. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of TDI-induced asthma was at 0.58% was lower than that for former studies (2-20%). Improved workplace environment, lower level of TDI exposure compared to the past, and the healthy workers effect may have contributed to this low rate of asthma prevalence in workers with TDI exposure.

Characteristics of Occupational Asthma Reported by Surveillance System in Incheon / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to estimate the magnitude of occupational asthma and to determine its characteristics. METHODS: We collected and analyzed 121 cases of occupational asthma reported by a surveillance system in Incheon for 5 years. The cases were classified according to industry and causing gent. We attached the data to worker's compensation records to establish the degree of agreement between the two sources. RESULTS: The industry of musical instrument manufacture was the most common (31 cases, 25.6%), followed by furniture manufacture, dye making, and machinery manufacture. TDI was the most common causing agents (52 cases, 43%), followed by reactive dye, wood dust, and organic dust. There was poor agreement with the worker's compensation records (2 cases, 8%). CONCLUSIONS: TDI and reactive dyes were the major materials causing occupational asthma. Most cases reported by the surveillance system were not applied to the worker's compensation system. Therefore, the surveillance system should be used to estimate the magnitude of occupational asthma and to determine its characteristics.

Analysis of Questions on Golf Related Pain on the Internet

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to understand the distribution of golf-related pain and associated factors by analysing the questions posted at Internet golf site. METHOD: Total 69 questions and its access number of golfers at two Korean internet golf sites (www.rhygolf.com, www.golfsky.com) were analyzed in the period of June, 2000 to July, 2001. We also conducted a supplementary e-mail survey to know demographic data and other informations of those who posted the questions. RESULTS: In both categories of numbers of questions and access rate, upper extremity including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand was the most common area of pain complaints, followed by spine, lower extremity, chest in orders. Golf career of upper extremity pain group were significantly low compared with other groups (p<0.05). Female golfers had more tendency to complain multiple pains than male golfers (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Golf itself relatively imposes more burden on upper extremity and spine. Among factors, sex and golf career were associated with anatomical distribution of golf-related pain. Even though the result is comparable to previous report, more complementary follow-up field study should be done.