• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.74-95
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• 2021

Background: A job-exposure matrix (JEM) is an important surrogate indicator to evaluate past exposure levels. Although a Korean asbestos JEM has been constructed previously, this JEM includes only a few industrial and occupational groups. This study aimed to reconstruct the JEM by integrating the latest organized data to improve its utility. Methods: We used recent Korean standard industry and occupation codes and extracted 36 articles from a systematic literature review to initiate the reconstruction of the previous Korean asbestos JEM. The resulting data consisted of 141 combinations of industrial and occupational groups. Data from the Netherlands's JEM were also reviewed and categorized into 70 industrial and 117 occupational groups by matching with the Korean data. We also utilized Germany's data, which consisted of 10 industrial and 14 occupational groups. Results: The reconstructed Korean asbestos JEM had 141 combinations of industries and occupations. The time periods are from the 1980s to the 2000s in 10-year intervals. Most of the data were distributed between the 1990s and the 2000s. Occupations with high exposure to asbestos included knitting and weaving machine operators, automobile mechanics or assemblers, ship mechanics or assemblers, mineral ore and stone products processing mechanics, and metal casting machine operators or mold makers. Conclusions: The reconstructed Korean asbestos JEM has expanded the type and duration of the occupational groups of the previous JEM and can serve as an important reference tool for evaluating asbestos exposure and designing compensation and prevention policies in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.397-404
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• 2020

Background: Most job exposure matrices (JEMs) have been developed for chemical and physical hazards in the United States (US). In addition, the overall validity of most JEMs of work organization hazards using self-reported data in the literature remains to be further tested due to several methodological weaknesses. Methods: This paper aims to review important methodological issues with regard to a JEM of work organization hazards using self-report data and to present a research protocol for developing a four-axis (job titles, hazards, sex, and time) JEM of major work organization hazards using the US General Social Survey-Quality of Work-Life (GSS-QWL) data (2002-2018; N = 7,100 workers). Results: Five methodological weaknesses in existing JEMs of work organization hazards using self-report data were identified: having only two axes (hazard and occupation), using psychometrically weak items and scales, including scales having little interoccupational variability, unresolved optimal minimum numbers of subjects per occupation, and low accessibility. The methodological weaknesses were successfully addressed in the proposed research protocol. Conclusion: The work organization JEM to be developed will significantly facilitate and strengthen occupational epidemiological studies on work organization hazards and major health outcomes, improve national and occupational surveillance of work organization hazards, and promote interventions for a healthy work environment in the US.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.161-168
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• 2001

직업성 역학 연구에서 직업적으로 유해인자와 질병과의 연관성에 대한 연구를 수행함에 타당도 높은 노출 평가를 어떻게 실시할 것인가에 대한 논의가 있어 왔다. 노출 평가를 위한 최상의 상태는 관심있는 물질에 대하여 개인별로 계량화된 노출값을 가지고 있을 때이고, 노출 값의 계산 방법 중 가장 가치가 적은 정보는 노출확률이 높은 공장, 산업 또는 직업에 고용된 사실여부만을 갖고 있을 때이다. 대부분의 산업보건연구에서 노출정보는 두 극단사이에 존재한다. 최근 유사노출군 설정 방법과 대표치 추정을 위한 통계방법들이 소개되면서 전향적으로는 이러한 노출 값의 계산이 가능해지고 있다. 그러나 후향적 노출 평가에서는 순수하게 노출 평가를 목적으로 조사된 자료가 아닌 자료들을 수집하여 노출을 추정하여야 하기 때문에 사실상 계량화된 개인 노출 값을 얻기는 매우 어렵다. 직무-노출매트릭스를 통하여 노출 값을 추정하는 것은 환자-대조군 연구, 단면조사 연구 등의 연구방법에서 흔히 일어 날 수 있는 정보편의를 줄일 수 있어 직업성 역학 연구에서 생애 노출 값의 추정 혹은 노출강도의 추정에 직무-노출매트릭스의 사용이 점차 증가되고 있다. 따라서 직업성 역학연구에서 유용하게 사용되고 있는 직무-노출매트릭스를 고찰하고 분석함으로써 특정 사업장 혹은 산업 중심의 직무-노출매트릭스의 설계 방안을 제시하고자 하였다. 특히 직무구분 축을 중점적으로 설명함으로써 향후 직업적 역학연구의 노출평가를 수행할 때와 근로자 건강보호를 위한 작업장 유해인자 관리를 위한 노출평가를 수행할 때 유용한 방법을 제공하고자 하였다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.317-323
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to estimate domestic usage amount of insecticide for fruit cultivation to suggest job-exposure matrix(JEM) regarding farmers treating agricultural insecticide. Materials and Methods: The domestic usage amount of insecticide for fruit cultivation was investigated according to two research methods. The former method is to use agricultural pesticides published annually from Korea Crop Protection Association(KCPA) and the latter method is to apply cultivation area of fruit provided officially from Statistics Korea(SK). Results: It was found that its domestic usage amount has decreased gradually from the first sale to presence(2012). However, there is a significant difference of annual usage trend of insecticide for fruit cultivation between shipments and estimation. The annual usage trends of insecticide for fruit cultivation based on regional classification were different from those based on total aspect. Conclusions: The region which used insecticide for fruit cultivation the most in Korea was as follows: Gyeonsang-do, followed by Jeolla-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeju-do, Seoul/Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do. An averaged ratio of usage amounts of insecticide based on shipments and those based on estimation by cultivation area was $980{\pm}186%$, which means that usage amounts of insecticide estimated by shipments are ten times higher than those based on cultivation area.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.78-90
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to standardize the process code of the work environment measurement database (WEMD) for the construction of a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Methods: The standard process code (SPC) was reclassified based on process similarity and drawing upon the code used in the existing K2B. It was supplemented through review by industrial hygiene experts. In addition, an index word database related to SPC was created and used for SPC search. A pilot evaluation project was conducted by experts to evaluate the validity of the newly reclassified standard process code. Results: A total of 70 final SPCs were developed, including 31 processes related to the construction industry. Using the Shiny program, we developed a standard code finder that can be used on the web (https://kscf.shinyapps.io/scf_app/). As a result of the pilot evaluation, it was determined that it was easier to search for standard codes than previous codes, so it was highly utilized. Conclusions: It is expected that JEM construction using industry-process information drawing on WEMD data will be possible using the 70 newly standardized process codes.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.105-115
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• 2017

Background: The goal of this study is to develop a general population job-exposure matrix (GPJEM) on asbestos to estimate occupational asbestos exposure levels in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Three Korean domestic quantitative exposure datasets collected from 1984 to 2008 were used to build the GPJEM. Exposure groups in collected data were reclassified based on the current Korean Standard Industrial Classification ($9^{th}$ edition) and the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations code ($6^{th}$ edition) that is in accordance to international standards. All of the exposure levels were expressed by weighted arithmetic mean (WAM) and minimum and maximum concentrations. Results: Based on the established GPJEM, the 112 exposure groups could be reclassified into 86 industries and 74 occupations. In the 1980s, the highest exposure levels were estimated in "knitting and weaving machine operators" with a WAM concentration of 7.48 fibers/mL (f/mL); in the 1990s, "plastic products production machine operators" with 5.12 f/mL, and in the 2000s "detergents production machine operators" handling talc containing asbestos with 2.45 f/mL. Of the 112 exposure groups, 44 groups had higher WAM concentrations than the Korean occupational exposure limit of 0.1 f/mL. Conclusion: The newly constructed GPJEM which is generated from actual domestic quantitative exposure data could be useful in evaluating historical exposure levels to asbestos and could contribute to improved prediction of asbestos-related diseases among Koreans.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.360-365
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• 2008

In the last several years, studies on the association of oxidative stress damage with exposure in the work place have been conducted. Xenobiotics create an imbalance of the homeostasis between oxidant molecules and antioxidant defense. By monitoring oxidative stress biomarkers, information was obtained on damages induced by oxidative stress and the toxicity of xenobiotics. In the present study, a Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) was constructed using the data from the Working Environment Measurement (WEM) of painters in the shipyard industry from the past 3 years to assess the exposure status. Additionally, by measuring the concentration of urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), the effect of lipid peroxidation was examined. The subjects consisted of 68 workers who were exposed to mixed organic solvents in the painting process and 25 non-exposure controls. The exposure indices of the exposure groups were significantly different (sprayer: 0.83, touchup: 0.54, assistant: 0.13, P<0.05). The urinary MDA concentration of the exposure group was 48.60${\pm}$ 39.23 ${\mu}mol$/mol creatinine, which was significantly higher than 18.03${\pm}$16.33 ${\mu}mol$/mol creatinine of the control group (P<0.05). From the multiple regression analysis of urinary MDA, the regression coefficient for exposure grade was statistically significant. In future studies, evaluation of the antioxidant levels of subjects should be performed simultaneously with quantitative exposure measurements.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to investigate domestic usage amount of insecticide for vegetable cultivation to provide fundamental data for establishing job-exposure matrix(JEM) related to farmers treating agricultural insecticide. Materials and Methods: The survey on domestic usage amount of insecticide for vegetable cultivation was conducted by two research methods. The first method is to utilize agricultural pesticides published annually from Korea Crop Protection Association(KCPA). The second method is to apply cultivation area of vegetable announced officially from Statistics Korea(SK). An estimation of domestic usage amount of insecticide for vegetable cultivation through the second method was done by multiplying total cultivation area of vegetable($m^2$) with optimal spray amount of insecticide for vegetable cultivation per unit cultivation area of vegetable ($kg/m^2$). Results: As a result of analysis of public data related to insecticide for vegetable cultivation, it was found that its domestic usage amount has decreased gradually from the first sale year(1969) to current year(2012). There is, however, a considerable difference of annual usage trend of insecticide for vegetable cultivation between shipments and estimation. The annual usage trends of insecticide for vegetable cultivation based on regional classification were different from those based on total aspect. Conclusions: The region which used insecticide for vegetable cultivation the most in Korea was Jeolla-do, followed by Gyeonsang-do, Chungcheong-do, Seoul/Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do and Jeju-do. Substantially, mean ratio of usage amounts of insecticide based on shipments and those based on estimation by cultivation area was $281{\pm}115%$, which indicates that usage amounts of insecticide estimated by cultivation area are three times lower than those based on shipments.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2014

Objectives: The principal aim of this study is to investigate and analyze domestic usage amounts of insecticide in rice cultivation in order to provide fundamental data for establishing a job-exposure matrix(JEM) related to farmers working with agricultural insecticides. Materials and Methods: An investigation of domestic usage amounts of insecticides rice cultivation was performed through two methods. The first method utilized information on agricultural pesticides published annually by the Korea Crop Protection Association(KCPA). The second method made use of area of cultivation of rice as officially determined by Statistics Korea(SK). An estimation of domestic usage of insecticides in rice cultivation through the second method was determined by multiplying the total cultivation area of rice($m^2$) by the optimal spray volume of insecticides for rice cultivation per unit of cultivation area($kg/m^2$). Results: As a result of the analysis of public data regarding insecticides in rice cultivation, it was found that the domestic usage amount has decreased sharply from the first year of market sales(1969) to the final data year(2012). There is little difference in the annual usage trend of insecticides in rice cultivation between shipment and estimation. Also, the annual usage trends of insecticides in rice cultivation based on regional classification were nearly similar to those based on the overall aspect. Conclusions: The region which used the largest volume of insecticide in rice cultivation in Korea was the Jeolla Provinces, followed by the Gyeonsang Provinces, the Chungcheong Provinces, Seoul/Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province and Jeju Province. Substantially, the mean ratio of usage amounts of insecticide based on shipments and those based on estimation by cultivation area was $96{\pm}29%$, which indicates that the domestic usage amount of insecticide for rice cultivation corresponded to the optimal spray standard per unit area.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.391-401
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• 2010

A reduction in risk of occupational exposure to chemical hazards within the workplace has been the focus of attention both through industry initiatives and legislation. The aims of this study were to develop an exposure matrix by industry and process, and to apply this matrix to control the risk of occupational exposure to Dichloromethane (DCM). The exposure matrix is a tool to convert information on industry and process into information on occupational risk. The exposure matrix comprised industries and processes involving DCM, based on an exposure database provided by KOSHA (the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency), which was gathered from a workplace hazards evaluation program in Korea. The risk assessment of the exposure matrix was performed using Hallmark risk assessment tool. The results of the risk assessment were indicated by a Danger Value (DV) calculated from the combination of hazard rating (HR), duration of use rating (DUR), and risk probability rating (RPR) of exposure to the chemical, and were divided into four control bands which were related to control measures. The applicability of the risk assessment of the exposure matrix was evaluated by a field study, and survey of the employees of the exposure matrix groups. Among 45 industries examined, this study found that greater attention should be paid to two industries: the manufacture of other optical instruments and photographic equipment, and the manufacture of printing ink, and to one process among 47 examined, the packing process in the manufacture of printing ink, because these were regarded as carrying the highest risk. This tool of a risk assessment for the exposure matrix can be applied as a general exposure information system for hazard control, risk quantification, setting the occupational exposure limit, and hazard surveillance. The exposure matrix includes workforce data, and it provides information on the numbers of exposed workers in Korea by agent, occupation, and level of exposure and risk.