• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.529-538
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current patterns of cancer incidence and estimate the projected cancer incidence and mortality between 2020 and 2035 in Korea. Methods: Data on cancer incidence cases were extracted from the Korean Statistical Information Service from 2000 to 2017, and data on cancer-related deaths were extracted from the National Cancer Center from 2000 to 2018. Cancer cases and deaths were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition. For the current patterns of cancer incidence, age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized mortality rates were investigated using the 2000 mid-year estimated population aged over 20 years and older. A joinpoint regression model was used to determine the 2020 to 2035 trends in cancer. Results: Overall, cancer cases were predicted to increase from 265 299 in 2020 to 474 085 in 2035 (growth rate: 1.8%). The greatest increase in the ASIR was projected for prostate cancer among male (7.84 vs. 189.53 per 100 000 people) and breast cancer among female (34.17 vs. 238.45 per 100 000 people) from 2000 to 2035. Overall cancer deaths were projected to increase from 81 717 in 2020 to 95 845 in 2035 (average annual growth rate: 1.2%). Although most cancer mortality rates were projected to decrease, those of breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer among female were projected to increase until 2035. Conclusions: These up-to-date projections of cancer incidence and mortality in the Korean population may be a significant resource for implementing cancer-related regulations or developing cancer treatments.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2022

Objectives: Objective of this study is to review briefly exposure characteristics, monitoring instruments and threshold limit values for extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF) methods. This study was undertaken through brief literature review. We performed a literature search in PubMed to identify ELF-MF studies conducted in workplaces. Initial search keywords such as 'extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF)' and 'electromagnetic fields (EMF)' combined or singly. We limited our review to occupational rather than general nonworkplace environmental exposures. Methods: The contents we reviewed: key industry and occupations generating ELF-MF, several direct-reading instruments monitoring ELF-MF and threshold limit values (TLV) preventing health effects may be caused by the exposure to ELF-MF. Results: The industries related to the generation and supply of electricity, electrolytic installations, welding, and induction heating and more were regarded as high ELF-MF exposure industries. All jobs handling or employed performed in power cable lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment are found to be exposed to ELF-MF. Threshold or ceiling limit, 1,000 µT, is established to prevent acute effects of exposure to low-frequency EMFs on the nervous system: the direct stimulation of nerve and muscle tissues and the induction of retinal phosphenes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ELF-MF as possibly carcinogenic to humans chiefly based on epidemiological studies on childhood leukemia. However, a causal relationship between magnetic fields and several types of cancer including childhood leukemia has not been established nor has any other long-term effects. Risk management using precautionary measures, has been initiated by the US and EU to prevent chronic health effects related to ELF-MF exposure in workplaces. Conclusion: This study recommends the implementation of various measures such as theestablishment of occupational exposure limit values for ELF-MF and precautionary principle to prevent potential chronic occupational health effects may be caused by ELF-MF in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.811-816
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• 2013

Background: Pervious studies suggested occupational workers exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) might contribute to increased risk of cancer. However, few studies have focused on associations between PCP and cancer risk at the community level. Objective: The present study was to explore the cancer risk for the community population living long-term in a PCP contaminated area. Methods: All the cancer cases diagnosed in 2009-2011 in Tongling City were collected. The cancer patients' residencies were geo-referenced in each district. The historical PCP usage for each district of Tongling was calculated as the PCP pollution index, which was further used to divide into PCP exposure categories. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) of cancer incidence were applied to detect the cancer risk as exposure grade elevated. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between PCP pollution and cancer incidence. Results: A total of 5,288 cancer cases (3,451 male and 1,837 female) were identified. PCP usage was correlated with the incidence of leukemia (r=0.88, P=0.002) for males, and with cancer of the esophagus for males (r=0.83, P=0.008) and females (r=0.71, P=0.020). Compared with the low exposure category, significant SRRs for total cancer sites was obtained for high PCP exposure category (SRR=1.61, 95%CI=1.59-1.62). Most SRR values of the cancer sites were significantly increased as exposure grade elevated and exposure time extended. Conclusion: The present study found that community residents living in the PCP contaminated area had increased risk of cancers. Leukemias, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal and esophageal cancers are most possibly associated with PCP exposure.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2016

Objectives A hazard assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a commonly used workplace chemical, was conducted in order to protect the occupational health of workers. A literature review, consisting of both domestic and international references, examined the chemical management system, working environment, level of exposure, and possible associated risks. This information may be utilized in the future to determine appropriate exposure levels in working environments. Methods Hazard assessment was performed using chemical hazard information obtained from international agencies, such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-generated Screening Information Data Set and International Program on Chemical Safety. Information was obtained from surveys conducted by the Minister of Employment and Labor ("Survey on the work environment") and by the Ministry of Environment ("Survey on the circulation amount of chemicals"). Risk was determined according to exposure in workplaces and chemical hazard. Results In 229 workplaces over the country, 831 tons of DEHP have been used as plasticizers, insecticides, and ink solvent. Calculated 50% lethal dose values ranged from 14.2 to 50 g/kg, as determined via acute toxicity testing in rodents. Chronic carcinogenicity tests revealed cases of lung and liver degeneration, shrinkage of the testes, and liver cancer. The no-observed-adverse-effect level and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level were determined to be 28.9 g/kg and 146.6 g/kg, respectively. The working environment assessment revealed the maximum exposure level to be $0.990mg/m^3$, as compared to the threshold exposure level of $5mg/m^3$. The relative risk of chronic toxicity and reproductive toxicity were 0.264 and 0.330, respectively, while the risk of carcinogenicity was 1.3, which is higher than the accepted safety value of one. Conclusions DEHP was identified as a carcinogen, and may be dangerous even at concentrations lower than the occupational exposure limit. Therefore, we suggest management of working environments, with exposure levels below $5mg/m^3$ and all workers utilizing local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection when handling DEHP.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2011

Objectives: Studies examining healthcare workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs have focused on the drug preparation or drug administration areas. However, such an approach has probably underestimated the overall exposure risk as the drugs need to be delivered to the facility, transported internally and then disposed. The objective of this study is to determine whether drug contamination occurs throughout a facility and, simultaneously, to identify those job categories that are potentially exposed. Methods: This was a multi-site study based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Interviews were conducted to determine the departments where the drugs travel. Subsequent site observations were performed to ascertain those surfaces which frequently came into contact with antineoplastic drugs and to determine the job categories which are likely to contact these surfaces. Wipe samples were collected to quantify surface contamination. Results: Surface contamination was found in all six stages of the hospital medication system. Job categories consistently found to be at risk of exposure were nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy receivers. Up to 11 job categories per site may be at risk of exposure at some point during the hospital medication system. Conclusion: We found drug contamination on select surfaces at every stage of the medication system, which indicates the existence of an exposure potential throughout the facility. Our results suggest that a broader range of workers are potentially exposed than has been previously examined. These results will allow us to develop a more inclusive exposure assessment encompassing all healthcare workers that are at risk throughout the hospital medication system.

• 모자간호학회지
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.64-77
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• 1993

Recovery of functional status and affecting factors it were examined at 1 and 2 months after delivery in 111 women who defined as the resumption of household, self-care, social & community, and occupational activities, and assumption of infant care responsibilities. The data were collected by Tulman & Fawcett (1988)'s IFSAC questionnaire at 2 local hospitals & health center in Kwangju city & Chonnam province. The results were as follows : 1. Total mean scores of functional status were 2.3 points and increased in total functional status between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. The analysis revealed significant changes in 3 dimensions-household, social & community, and occupational activities-of IFSAC between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. 2. Mean scores of 5 dimensions of IFSAC were : self-care activities, 1.9 points : household activities, 2.7 points ; infant care responsibilities, 3.6 points ; occupational activities, 1.5 points ; and social & community activities, 1.6 points. 3. The job affected significantly the household, occupational activities and infant care responsibilities. And the complication of infant or mother affected significantly the infant care responsibilities in association with recovery functional status. Based on the findings and a review of the literature in regard to our understanding of recovery of functional status, the following recommendations were derived. 1. Future research needs to be policied concerning length of maternity leave after delivery on a firmer basis throught longitudinal study. 2. The data also nay be used to develop individual interventions to facilitate recovery from childbirth. 3. The IFSAC may be used to clinical assessments of functional status in the case of women cancer or obstetric and gynecologic operation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.517-529
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• 2019

Introduction: Although shift work is an inevitable form of labor in modern society, it has been identified as a cause of many ailments, such as cancer and musculoskeletal disorders. Meanwhile, previous studies have also shown that musculoskeletal disorders account for a large proportion of total industrial accidents and a high prevalence rate of these ailments has been found in shift workers. Methods: Among the respondents to the 5th Korea Working Conditions Survey(KWCS) 3,916 shift workers(2,658 of whom have not experienced musculoskeletal pain and 1,258 who have experienced musculoskeletal pain) were asked how the work regularity of shift workers affected musculoskeletal pain. Results: The results of a dichotomous logistic regression by correcting the demographic characteristics of the study subjects showed a lower prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the 'High' regularity group compared to the 'Intermediate' regularity group for the criterion 'Regularity of Time Fixation'. A lower prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was shown in the 'High' and 'Moderate' regularity group compared to the 'Very Low' regularity one. Conclusions: Based on these findings, it was found that musculoskeletal pain occurs less when the work regularity of shift workers is 'Very high' or 'Intermediate', and the effect of working regularity on musculoskeletal pain varies for each shift type of work. It is deemed that more precise observation and understanding are required when managing the working environment of shift workers, and further study of regarding this issue is needed.

• 월간산업보건
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• s.59
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• pp.24-28
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• 1993

vinyl chloride는 간(liver)의 angiosarcoma를 일으키는 물질로서 이미 잘 알려져 있으며 이들의 관련성은 직업성 암(occupational cancer)의 전형적인 예로 다루어지고 있다. ACGIH에서 발행하는 TLV책자(Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices)를 보면 이 물질이 어떠한 역학적인 연구들을 통하여 A1a(Recognized human Carcinogen)에 이르게 되었는지를 알 수 있다. 이 글에서는 vinyl chloride가 남성의 생식기관에 미치는 영향에 대한 논의를 소재로 하여 우리가 역학논물을 대할 때에 어떠한 관점에서 살펴보아야 할 것인가를 논하고자 하였다.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1993.10a
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• pp.173-174
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• 1993

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.362-362
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• 2005