Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Exposure Assessment of Biological Monitoring by Urinary Bromide Ion in Methyl Bromide Fumigation Workers

메틸브로마이드 훈증제 작업자의 요 중 브로마이드 이온을 이용한 생물학적 노출평가

  • Seo, Jeong-Wook (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Byoung-Gwon (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Yu-mi (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Lee, Se-Young (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Na-Young (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Lim, Hyoun-Ju (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Gu, Dongchul (Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital) ;
  • Hong, Young-Seoub (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University)
  • 서정욱 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김병권 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김유미 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 이세영 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김나영 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 임현주 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 구동철 (양산부산대학교 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 환경보건센터)
  • Received : 2019.11.14
  • Accepted : 2019.12.16
  • Published : 2019.12.31
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Abstract

Objective: Methyl bromide (MB) fumigant has been shown to be fatal to human when was exposed. However, it were still used the significant amount in quarantine disinfection sites. The purposes of this study were to assess the MB exposure status and characteristics by fumigation-related workers and to provide supporting data for management plan. Methods: For this study, the three groups related to fumigation work were composed. A total of 107 workers were directly exposed, 20 field inspectors were indirect, and 20 general quarantines were not exposed. The urinary bromide ion concentrations in each group were analyzed by using HPLC/ICP-MS, and the working characteristics were identified using the structured questionnaire. Results: The urinary bromide ion concentration in the exposed group of fumigation workers was higher than the indirect and non-exposed groups. In the work characteristics of workers, there was a significant tendency to increase urinary bromide ion concentrations with higher fumigation work years (≤4 years: 2.84 (1.13-7.11) mg/g cr, >4-15 years: 5.36 (4.37-6.57) mg/g cr, >15-37 years: 6.69 (5.27-8.49) mg/g cr, p=0.034). In the comparison of the average number of working days per month, the more working days, the higher the urinary bromide ion concentration was statistically significant (≤12.5 days: 2.59 (1.19-5.65) mg/g cr, >12.5-19.25 days: 5.46 (4.62-6.44) mg/g cr, >19.25-27.25 days: 7.93 (5.93-10.59) mg/g cr, p=0.002). Conclusion: This study was the first nationwide survey including biological monitoring in workers exposed to methyl bromide. The results of this study were expected to be used as a reference for workers' health rights in relation to fumigation, prevention of addiction accidents, and safe management plan.

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