Ionizing Radiation-induced Diseases in Korea

Radiation risk has become well known through epidemiological studies of clinically or occupationally exposed populations, animal experiments, and in vitro studies; however, the study of radiation related or induced disease has been limited in Korea. This study is to find the level of occupational radiation exposure for various kinds of accidents, compensated occupational diseases, related studies, and estimations on future occupational disease risks. Research data of related institutions were additionally investigated. About 67% of 62,553 radiation workers had no exposure or less than 1.2 mSv per year. The 5 reported cases on radiation accident patients in Korea occurred during nondestructive testing. According to the recent rapid increase in the number of workers exposed to radiation, a higher social recognition of cancer, and an increasing cancer mortality rate, it is expected that occupational disease compensation will rapidly increase as well. Therefore, it is important to develop scientific and objective decision methods, such as probability of causation and screening dose in the establishment of an exposure and health surveillance system.

The Relationship between Job Stress and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Migrant Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the musculoskeletal symptoms of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between job stress and musculoskeletal symptoms. METHOD: A questionnaire was administered to 502 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Gyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to participants in order to capture the following information: sociodemographics, health factors including past medical history, work related characteristics, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The job stress questionnaires were used according to KOSS-26 and musculoskeletal symptoms were measured using KOSHA Code H-30-2003. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors which included job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms in survey subjects was 35.1%. Other than job stress factors, past medical history was the only factor that had a statistical relationship to musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.01). In the domains of job stress, physical environment (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03~2.54), job demand (OR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.46~4.03), job insecurity (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03~2.47), occupational climate (OR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.27~4.19) were most likely experience musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSION: The job stress factor appeared to correlate more with musculoskeletal symptoms than with sociodemographics or other factors. Hence, in order to prevent migrant worker's musculoskeletal symptoms, we believe that intervention in job stress (physical environment, job demand, job insecurity, occupational climate) is necessary.

One Case of Parkinson's Syndrome in a Shipyard Painter Exposed to Mixed Organic Solvents / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: It is well-known that organic solvents can cause various neurologic toxicities, and in particular, it had been reported that Parkinson's syndrome can be caused by organic solvents. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old man who had worked for 13 years as a shipyard spray and brush painter and manifested with moderate cognitive disorder and was diagnosed with chronic toxic encephalopathy. We can assume he had had considerable exposure to organic solvents considering the estimates of the amounts of organic solvents in his work place. He had no specific medical history. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) showed mild cognitive deficit, depression, and anxiety. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) indicated a slightly decreased flow at the edge of the left temporal brain area, while T2 brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed no specific signs except for ischemic changes in small vessels in the periventricular and subcortical white matter. He was also diagnosed with both carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy through a neuroconductive study. Several years later, he developed progressive bradykinesia and rigidity and, later, resting tremors in the left hand. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and treated with dopaminergic agents, but there was no effect. After that, he was given deep brain stimulation, both. As a result, his tremor is improved. but, the rigidity remained. Three years later, He has continuously received dopaminergic therapy. but, he complains about tremors in both hands and more greatly reduced cognitive function. CONCLUSION: In this case, we assumed by patient's work history and exposure estimates that he was exposed to excessive levels of organic solvents. The clinical symptoms of this patient were very similar to those from Parkinson's disease, but the psychological symptom appeared earlier than the other symptoms and there was no response to dopaminergic agents. We conclude that this case is likely Parkinson's syndrome caused by organic solvents.

One Case of Parkinson's Syndrome in a Shipyard Painter Exposed to Mixed Organic Solvents / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: It is well-known that organic solvents can cause various neurologic toxicities, and in particular, it had been reported that Parkinson's syndrome can be caused by organic solvents. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old man who had worked for 13 years as a shipyard spray and brush painter and manifested with moderate cognitive disorder and was diagnosed with chronic toxic encephalopathy. We can assume he had had considerable exposure to organic solvents considering the estimates of the amounts of organic solvents in his work place. He had no specific medical history. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) showed mild cognitive deficit, depression, and anxiety. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) indicated a slightly decreased flow at the edge of the left temporal brain area, while T2 brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed no specific signs except for ischemic changes in small vessels in the periventricular and subcortical white matter. He was also diagnosed with both carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy through a neuroconductive study. Several years later, he developed progressive bradykinesia and rigidity and, later, resting tremors in the left hand. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and treated with dopaminergic agents, but there was no effect. After that, he was given deep brain stimulation, both. As a result, his tremor is improved. but, the rigidity remained. Three years later, He has continuously received dopaminergic therapy. but, he complains about tremors in both hands and more greatly reduced cognitive function. CONCLUSION: In this case, we assumed by patient's work history and exposure estimates that he was exposed to excessive levels of organic solvents. The clinical symptoms of this patient were very similar to those from Parkinson's disease, but the psychological symptom appeared earlier than the other symptoms and there was no response to dopaminergic agents. We conclude that this case is likely Parkinson's syndrome caused by organic solvents.

A Case-study of a Plastering and Waterproof Worker Suffering from Silicosis and Lung Cancer / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We report on a case-study of a silicosis sufferer with lung cancer, who was exposed to cement dust through plastering and waterproof work in the construction industry. METHODS: We reviewed his personal history including employment, medical record and estimated level of carcinogenic materials in the work place in order to evaluate the possible source of his lung cancer. RESULTS: The patient was a non-smoker and there was no family history of lung cancer. His medical record did not reveal anything of concern. He was exposed to cement dust while he had worked for 20 years as a plasterer and waterproof worker. After complaining of chest pain, he was examined and subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer (RUL, adenocarcinoma; cT4N2M1). He was treated in a hospital for 3 months before passing away. Radiological evaluation by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed micronodules with a profusion category 1 (p/p, 1/1) in the perilymphatic distribution, which indicated silicosis. Small amounts of cement dust which included silica was identified by environmental evaluation of his work place. He never worked with asbestos related material, which was confirmed by HRCT examination. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the patient's silicosis with lung cancer was an occupational-caused disease due to exposure to cement dust.

A Case of Goodpasture's Syndrome in a Foundry Worker / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Smoking, upper respiratory tract infection, genetic factors and hydrocarbons are known as risk factors of Goodpasture's syndrome. We studied a patient with Goodpasture's syndrome who had worked for 27 years in a foundry company. Based on a study on the work-relatedness of the syndrome, we describe and discuss our study results. CASE: A 46-year-old man, who had worked as a foundry worker for 27 years and had a 12 1/2 packyear history of smoking cigarettes, was admitted into a hospital on 15th February 2006 with coughing, chest pain and dyspnea. On admission, he had hematuria, proteinuria, severe restrictive pulmonary function disorder and rapid elevation of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine. Immunological examination showed ANA (+), ANCA (-) and Anti-GBM Ab (+). Kidney biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Mild bleeding was revealed through bronchoscopy and no vasculitis and granuloma were present on at lung biopsy. Finally, we diagnosed the worker's illness as Goodpasture's syndrome and carried out hemodialysis and plasmapheresis. In the workplace survey, the exposure level of respirable crystalline silica exceeded the TLV-TWA (0.0106 mg/m3), which was calibrated for overtime. CONCLUSION: Based on both the clinical test and industrial hygiene examination, we concluded that the Goodpasture's syndrome in this case was caused by long-term silica exposure.

A Case of Goodpasture's Syndrome in a Foundry Worker / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Smoking, upper respiratory tract infection, genetic factors and hydrocarbons are known as risk factors of Goodpasture's syndrome. We studied a patient with Goodpasture's syndrome who had worked for 27 years in a foundry company. Based on a study on the work-relatedness of the syndrome, we describe and discuss our study results. CASE: A 46-year-old man, who had worked as a foundry worker for 27 years and had a 12 1/2 packyear history of smoking cigarettes, was admitted into a hospital on 15th February 2006 with coughing, chest pain and dyspnea. On admission, he had hematuria, proteinuria, severe restrictive pulmonary function disorder and rapid elevation of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine. Immunological examination showed ANA (+), ANCA (-) and Anti-GBM Ab (+). Kidney biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Mild bleeding was revealed through bronchoscopy and no vasculitis and granuloma were present on at lung biopsy. Finally, we diagnosed the worker's illness as Goodpasture's syndrome and carried out hemodialysis and plasmapheresis. In the workplace survey, the exposure level of respirable crystalline silica exceeded the TLV-TWA (0.0106 mg/m3), which was calibrated for overtime. CONCLUSION: Based on both the clinical test and industrial hygiene examination, we concluded that the Goodpasture's syndrome in this case was caused by long-term silica exposure.