Effect on Active Exercise Programs in Employees with Chronic Low Back Pain / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relative efficacy of three active exercise programs for work-related, chronic low back pain, and to observe to what extent the programs affected the mechanical stability of the lumbar region. METHODS: The subjects were 64 employees who were randomly divided into three groups to match the three active exercise programs which were performed 3 times a week for 6 months. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination, and then were reassessed at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the study. RESULTS: The pain intensity didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. However, the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant differences among the three groups at 6 months and the lumbar and thoracic exercise groups showed significant decreases compared to the general physiotherapy group (p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed a significant difference among the three groups at 3 months and 6 months, and the thoracic exercise group at 6 months showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant differences among the three groups at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, with the thoracic exercise group being decreased significantly more than the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups at 6 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise aimed at increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. Furthermore, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy and deep muscle strengthening lumbar exercise.

Predictors of Return to Work in Occupational Injured Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In order to obtain information useful in setting up occupational rehabilitation programs, an evaluation was conducted to determine predictive factors of workers' return to work after an occupational injury. METHODS: 13, 903 records of registered occupationally injured cases identified to have received disability compensation in 1998 were collected from the 36 branch of Korean Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWC). Through simple systematic sampling, a total of 3, 658 cases were selected as final subjects. Status of return to work, general characteristics, workplace characteristics, disability characteristics and disability outcome characteristics were collected from the KLWC and National Health Insurance Corporation records(NHIC). For statistical analyses, chi-square test and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were applied using the SAS software package program. RESULTS: Negatively affecting significant predictive factors for return to work were included the female gender, age of 50 years or older, 6 month or less of work duration, 1 or less family dependents, workplace with 200 or less employees, electric, gas, waterwork companies, foot injuries compared to finger injuries, fall from elevation, high degree of disability claims(1~4 grade), and period of medical care more than 181 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the poor rate return to work in occupationally injured workers' is particularly affected by female gender, older-aged employees, and workers employed by electric, gas, waterwork companies. Also, it was more difficult to return to work for workers who received injuries from a fall from elevation and who had longer period of medical care(more than 181days). It is strongly recommended that more efficient and systematic occupational rehabilitation programs be set up, taking into consideration the above mentioned factors.

Stress Related Factors of Physically Disabled Workers in Manufacturing Industry / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to measure the stress level of physically disabled workers, and to investigate the relationship between the stress dimensions and stress inducing factors of physically disabled workers in the Korean manufacturing industry. METHODS: The sample used in this study consisted of 341 physically disabled workers who had been working at companies in Seoul, Inchon, and Gyung-gi provinces. The Psycho-social Well-being Index (PWI), a modified version of Goldberg's 60-items of General Health Questionnaire (GHS), was used to measure the stress level. The following independent and moderate variables were designed for the same purpose. The independent variables were general and disability characteristics, workplace-related characteristics, and job stressor of the respondents. The other variables included organization-related stressors (social and family support) and person related stressors (needs and values, type A behavior pattern, locus of control and demographics), self-esteem and coping strategy. The collected data were analyzed using SAS version 6.12 program. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the significant variables on the stress level of physically disabled workers were poor self-perceived health status, low self-esteem, absence of regular exercise, physically disabled condition affecting work performance capability, dependent mobility at home, interpersonal conflict, role conflict and A type behavior pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that appropriate health promotion program should be established and provided for reducing the stress of physically disabled workers in the manufacturing industry. In addition, various vocational programs for decreasing interpersonal and role conflicts should be developed.

A Relationship between Cumulative Trauma Disorder and the Type of Workstations and Chairs in Workers with Repetitive Motion Tasks / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between cumulative trauma disorders(CTDs) and the types of workstation and chair in workers with repetitive motion tasks. METHODS: The study subjects were 77 repetitive motion tasks workers at small manufacturing industries in Seoul and Gyung-gi district area. A questionnaire was used to obtain about health practice for prevention and prevalence of CTDs by worker. The type of Workstations and chairs in workers were measured and analyzed with prevalence of CTDs by logistic regression. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of workers recognized that work posture was related to workstation and chair. Most employers and employees didn't follow the work practice guidelines for workers with repetitive motion tasks. The prevalence of CTDs was 64% by questionnaire. The prevalence of pain in shoulder, neck, back, and arm were 38%, 15%, 6%, and 5%, respectively, and the pain started after working an average duration of 16.5 months. The CTDs symptoms were significantly related to thickness of workstation, height of workstation, length of knee depth under workstation, height of back rest, height of seat pan, depth of sitting surface, width of sitting surface, and length from workstation surface edge to shoulder. By multiple regression analysis of each risk factor, prevalence of CTDs was highly correlated with height of back rest, height of seat pan, and depth of sitting surface. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that workstations should be made adjustable for height and chairs should be equipped with seat pan height control, enough sitting surface for depth and width, back rest height and angle control. The workers should use the right working postures, exercise for health, occupational health education, and rest breaks and the manager of company should be educated for the preventing of CTDs.

The Similar Exposure Group and Exposure Variation in Ship-Building Painters: Focused on Xylene Exposure / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the concentration of xylene exposure and exposure variability of a similar exposure group(SEG) in accordance with job title and confined space. METHOD: The study subjects included 28 workers working in the painting process in the ship-building industry. Measurement of subjects were repeated three times. Within and between-worker exposure variance components were estimated from log-transformed exposure concentrations employing a one-way nested random effects analysis of variance model. A uniformly exposed group was defined as one where the between-worker variance(sigmaB2) was less than or equal to 0.031 or bwR95 or=0.031) and the ratios of the 97.5th and 2.5th percentile workers of the log normally distributed exposures of each group of workers was more than 2. However dividing job title into confined space(in-block, out-block, in/out-block) decreased the between-worker exposure variability. CONCLUSION: This study focused on the quantitative aspects of exposure in painters in the ship-building industry. We cannot accept the assumption that SEG are uniformly exposed, as a major component of variation in exposure relates to differences in tasks or other factors. Therefore, the observational schemes can be improved by investigating jobspecific task and practice.

Concentration of Urinary Cotinine and Frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchange in Lymphocytes among Male Adolescents / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal burden and hazardous effects associated with smoking in middle and high school students. METHODS: We analysed urinary cotinine (U-cotinine) concentrations and the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE). A comparison was done of U-cotinine concentrations and the frequency of SCE in peripheral lymphocytes across school levels (middle vs. high) and smoking types (direct: daily & occasional smoking, indirect: usual indirect & non-smoking), in 122 males. RESULTS: The middle school student group comprised 6.8% daily smokers, 15.9% occasional smokers, 40.9% daily indirect smokers, and 35.4% nonsmokers, while the high school student group comprised 18.0%, 20.5%,39.7%, and 21.8%, respectively. The U-cotinine concentration and the frequency of SCE among the middle school students were 79.11 microgram/literand 2.0 per cell, respectively, which were significantly lower than the 146.85 microgram/liter (p=0.078) and 2.6 per cell (p=0.005) of the high school students. Among the 40 direct smokers, these two biomarkers were 235.66 microgram/literand 2.59 per cell, significantly higher than the 67.33 microgram/liter (p=0.0001) and2.1 per cell (p=0.003) among indirect smoking groups. The variation in individual U-cotinine concentration ranged widely in both the indirect and direct smoking groups. CONCLUSION: Urinary cotinine concentrations and the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchange seem to objectively and effectively evaluate student exposure whether it was direct or indirect smoking. Consequently, these biomarkers may be useful in monitoring the objective efficacy of anti-smoking programs in adolescent populations.

The Relationship between Health Value Cognition, Health Promotion Behavior and Health Examination Results Among Transit Corporation's Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare health value cognition and health promotion behavior compliance between healthy group and not being healthy group, and to evaluate the difference of health promotion behaviors compliance between high group and low group in health value cognition. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 565 workers, 233 healthy workers, 172 observation cases and 160 disease cases, selected from 4,919 transit coporations workers. RESULTS: In health promoting behavior compliance, not being healthy group showed lower level than healthy group in exercise and showed higher level than healthy group in interpersonal support significantly. A worker who replied on health as the most value in life was consisted in 37.3% of healthy group and 36. 1% of not being healthy group, Health value cognition according to general characteristics showed no significant difference except only variable of age in healthy group. Health promoting behavior compliance according to cognition of health value showed in healthy group that a high level group of health value cognition was more significant difference than a low level group in self actualization and health responsibility of health promoting behavior and didn't show difference significantly in not being healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the relationship between health value cognition, health promotion behavior compliance and periodic health examination results showed weakly. Therefore, in order to develop and apply spontaneous health promotion program, it was considered that should emphasize compliance than cognition.

Effects of Genetic Factor, Life Styles, and Diet on Urinary Hippuric Acid Excretion in Toluene Exposed Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to investigate the distributions and the effects of genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2), cytochrome P450 1A1(CYP1A1), and cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) on the toluene metabolism. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 160 workers who were exposed to toluene in different industries such as paint manufacturing, painting on steel and wood products, printing, bonding, and coating. The exposed toluene level was monitored by passive air sampler, and the questionnaire variables were age, sex, smoking, drinking, previous nights drinking, use of personal protective equipment, work duration, and taking benzoic acid containing food. The urinary hippurric acid collected in the end of shift was corrected by urinary creatinine concentration. The genotypes of ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2E1 were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. RESULTS: The geometric mean and the geometric standard deviation of urinary hippuric acid concentration were 0. 44 g/g creatinine and 2. 80. The urinary hippuric acid concentration was significantly related to personal exposed toluene level among personal exposed toluene level, use of personal protective equipment, and benzoic acid containing food diet. The slope differences of the regression for ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2El genetic polymorphism, age, smoking, and work duration tended to be significant. In multiple regression analysis, the regression coefficient of toluene, ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1 genetic polymorphism were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Prom the above results, urinary hippuric acid level after toluene exposure was significantly affected by the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1. It is needed further investigation of the urinary hippuric acid level considering the effect of genetic polymorphism.

Effect of Aldehyde dehydrogenase2 (ALDH2) Genotypes in Urinary Hippuric Acid Excretion as a Biological Exposure Index of Toluene / 대한산업의학회지

We investigated toluene exposure level, urinary hippuric acid concentrations, subjective symptoms and genotype of ALDH2 DNA in 134 exposed workers and 53 nonexposed workers for evaluating the effect of ALDH2 polymorphism on toluene metabolism and urinary hippuric acid concentration as biological exposure indices (BEI) of toluene. The results were as follows; 1. The percentage of inactive genotype of ALDH2 in exposed workers was lower than that of exposed (P=0.081). 2. The percentages of exposed workers with inactive genotype did not have any significant difference by the increase of toluene exposure level or work duration. 3. The frequency of drinking, monthly and maximum amount of alcohol intake in workers with normal genotype were significantly higher than those with inactive genotype. 4. The urinary hippuric acid concentration of nonexposed workers ,with inactive genotype was significantly lower than that with normal genotype. Under 100 ppm of toluene, similar but statistically insignificant trends were found, while above that concentration of toluene, reverse but statistically insignificant trends were found. 5. The number of acute and chronic subjective symptoms were increased positively with the concentration of toluene in workers with normal genotype, but ho such trends were found in workers with inactive genotype. 6. The result of simple linear regression between toluene and urinary hippuric acid concentrations showed a very significant positive linear relation-ship. The mean hippuric acid concentration of nonoccupational exposure was 0.289+/-0.227 (0.062-0.516) g/l. Toluene exposure level unable to discriminate with nonoccupational exposure estimated from regression equation, it range from 7.29 to 9.87 ppm. Considering above all things, it was useful to estimate the exposure level of toluene by means of analysing urinary hippuric acid concentration in both genotype workers, but the biological exposure indices (BEI) of both genotypes were different from each other. The BEI of the total exposed workers was 2.76 g/ I, which was lower than current criteria 3.0g/ I (2.5 g/g Cr), and it also suggest that the BEI for the exposed workers in our country be lowered to the appropriate level after further study.

Current Medical Exantination Practiees for the Determination of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Losses / 대한산업의학회지

Occupational hearing loss became the leading occupational disease by constituting 56% of all work-related diseases in Korea. However, the prevalence rates showed wide variations among the specific medical examination providers (SHFEPs) and were very low (0.8-1.4%) compared with those of 8.4% in Japan. This study was designed to identify sources of these variations by inyestigating current audiometric testing methods and the diagnostic criteria utilized by the ShfEPs. A questionnaire was distributed to each of 27 SMEPS selected from total 70 SMEPS. Among them, 20 ShfEPs were interviewed and the rest of them were given the questionnaire from by mail. Included in the survey from were questions concerning audiometric testing methods and procedure equipment, facility personnel and the diagnostic criteria utilized, The results were as follows: 1. Employee audiometric testings were primaTily conducted by nurses and nurse-aids who had formal training for audiometry because no training program had been established. No requirement about the quality of audiometric testing personnel was specified in the regulation. 2. Although audiometric testing equipment used by the SDfEPs should be periodically calibrated, a significant number of them were not properly calibrated. Most of the calibration services were provided by the outside contractors and were done with no uniformly established periods. No SMEPS conducted the daily functional calibration. Most of the ShfEPs did not keep their calibration records. 3. Initial audiometric testings were conducted at any available spaces in the workplace or at the testing room without considering noise level in that place. Follow-up audiometric testings were also provided without considering the worker's noise exposure. Although audiometric booths were used during tHe follow-up testinga most of them did not meet the ANSI noise reauirement for audiometric booths. 4. AltHough a standard diagnostic criterion was promulgated in the law, the criterion was not used uniffrmly by the SMEPs. In addition, some SMEPS were applying age corrections which were not incorporated into the regulation yet. Therefore wide range of prevalence in NIHU among SMEPS could have possibly been caused by variable audiometric testing procedures and methods. In conclusion, it was recommended that systematical and general measures, such as formal and regular training program for testers, quality control regulation of instnlment calibration, and establishment of standard diagnostic criteria, be established for solving current problems and assuring equity among SMEPs in diagnosing occupational hearing losses.

The Therapeutic Effect with Various Drug Combinations for Experimental Pneumoconiosis / 대한산업의학회지

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of various drug combination in experimental pneumoconiosis, a total of 240 Spraque-Dawley was instilled intratracheally by 50 mg free silica or coal dust with 0.8 ml normal saline. In the control group, it was intratracheally instilled only dust at once, while from l1th week experimental groups were administered drug. Experimental groups were divided into 8 groups according to drug combination such as group treated with piperazine and aspirin, piperazine and allopurinol, piperazine and azathioprine, aspirin and allopurinol, aspirin and azathioprine, allopurinol and azathioprine, solumedrol, and solumedrol and cyclophosphamide. The duration of treatment was 10 weeks. All animals were killed at 20th week after dust instillation. We observed body weight at 20th week after dust instillation, the dry lung weight of left lung, total and differential cell count in bronchoalveolaT lavage (BAL) fluid. Leukotriene B4, tumor necrosis factor, and superoxide anion production from alveolar macrophage, amount of hydroxyproline in left lung, and the histopathologic examination in the right lung stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. The results were as follows 1. The dry weight of the left lung in groups of treated with piperazine combined with aspirin and piperazine combined with azathloprlne was significantly decreased compared to the control group in silica instilled group. 2. The total number of cells in BAL in all experimental groups of silica instilled group and group of pjperafine/azathioprine and aspirin/allopurinol of coal dust instilled group were significantly decreasea compared to each control group. 3. The silica instilled group, the percentage of macrophage in experimental group tended to be increased in comparison with the control group but neutrophil tended to be decreased. Among experimental group, in the group treated with solumedrol and solumedrol/cyclophosphamide, the percentage and number of Iymphocyte markedly increased compared to each control group 4. The amounts of Hydroxyproline in the group piperazine/allopurinol and piperazine/azathioprine of silica instilled group were markedly lower than in the control group. 5. The preduction of TNF from alveolar macrophage in experimental group tended to be decreased compared to each control group. 6. The pathologic score that quantified the pathologic finding in the right lung, in all exporimental groups except the treated with regimen contained solumedrol of silica instilled group was significantly decreased compared to control group. In coal dust instilled group, the pathologic score of the group treated with piperazine and allopurinol, aspirin and azathioprine, and allopurinol and azathioprine was markedly lower than control group. 7. We analyzed the indices for alveolitis and fibTosis. The most effective drug combination was treated with piperazine combined with azathioprine and piperazine combined with allopurinol.

A study on component analysis of organic solvents and their health effect / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

Histopathological changes in rat lung instilled with natural coal and free silica dust / 결핵

No abstract available.

Manganese exposure in ore crushing / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

Lead Exposure of Tollgate Workers on Korea Expressway / 대한산업의학회지

In order to evaluate possible effects of lead exposure, lead absorption and subjective symptoms in the expressway tollgate workers, 147 workers who have benn working at 4 expressway tollgates werer studied. Study variables were blood lead(PbB), urine lead(PbU), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU), coproporphyrin in urine (CPU), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP), hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count and symtom index of lead exposure. Subjective symptoms, 16 items, were investigated by a physician's interview. The results were as follows: 1. The most prevailing subjective symptom related to lead exposure were reported fatigue (41.5%), follow by abdominal discomfort (26.5%), loss of appetite (23.8%) and numbness (21.0%). 2. The mean air concentrations of lead at inside and outside of tollbooth were 6.8 (0.2~17.9) and 4.8 (0.2~17.5) microgram/m3, respectively. 3. The mean values of lead absorption indices (blood lead, urine lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid, coproporphyrin in urine and zinc protoporphyrin in blood) of workers were 19.99 (4.2~38.9) microgram/ dl, 29.82(6.3~68.6) microgram/l, 1.04(0.17~3.41) mg/l, 30.30(11.6~58.0) microgram/l and 10.51(1.0~31.0) microgram/l, respectively. And the mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count were 15.41 (10.2~18.9)g/dl, 45.88(33.9~54.7)%, 497.37(415~591)x10(4)/mm3, respectively. 4. The mean number of positive responses to subjective symptoms(16 items) was 2.08(13%) and tended to decrease with increasing work duration and age. 5. The number of positive responses of subjective symptoms did not show dose-response relationship with lead absorption indices.

A Survey on the Air Pollution of Expressway Tollgates in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

This survey was carried out from October 16 through October 27, 1989 to evaluate the working environment of expressway tollgate. We measured and analyzed 9 parameters such as total dust, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead in the air together with climatic conditions and traffic volumes at 10 major highway tollgates. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The concentrations of air pollutants at inside and outside of toll booth were 0.7824 and 1.5460 mg/m3 for total dust, 0.034 and 0.094 ppm for sulfur dioxide, 2.2 and 4.3 ppm for carbon monoxide, 0.031 and 0.068 ppm for nitrogen dioxide, 0.0018 and 0.0027 mg/m3 for lead, respectiveively. 2. All air pollutants showed significant association each other except lead and nitrogen dioxide. 3. No relation was observed between air pollutants and traffic volume. 4. Generally speaking, climatic conditions showed no effect on the value of air pollutants both at inside and outside of toll booth. The exceptions were humidity that was related with carbon monoixide outside and air current that was related with lead outside.