• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational skin disease

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A Study on the Establishment of Management Methods about Occupational Dermatoses (직업성 피부질환에 대한 현황 파악 및 관리 대책 수립을 위한 연구)

  • Lim, Hyun-Sul;Cheong, Hae-Kwan;Choi, Byung-Soon;Kim, Ji-Yong;Sung, Yeol-Oh;Kim, Yang-Ho
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.29 no.3 s.54
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    • pp.617-637
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    • 1996
  • Occupational dermatosis is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. However, the extent of the occupational dermatoses including incidences and prevalencies of each disease entity, and etiologic materials are not yet welt stated in Korea. Authors reviewed the literatures on the statistic data and reports on the occupational dermatoses, and surveyed on the occupational dermatoses in two factories, and surveyed the physicians responsible to the occupational dermatoses with formed questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1. Among medical journals published since 1964, there were 31 articles on the occupational dermatoses. Of 31 articles, 18 were case reports and all others were review articles. Of 18 case reports, 9 were epidemiologic survey. The Workers' Periodic Health Examinations revealed that prevalence of the occupational dermatoses was highest(4.36 per 10,000 workers) in 1974, but number of the cases reported were decreased sharply since 1978 with some tendency to increase since 1981. There were 2,240 reported cases of occupational dermatoses between 1966 and 1992, which is 1.90% of all the reported occupational diseases. Skin infection and injuries due to chemicals were most frequent and there were 6 cases of skin cancer. 2. In an epidemiological survey on the dermatoses among 995 workers in a metal product manufacturing factory and 225 workers in a coal chemical factory, there were 794 with dermatomycosis, 296 workers with acne, 130 workers with scar, 123 workers with deformity of toe nails. Scars, photosensitivity dermatitis, deformity of finger and toe nails, and acne were more prevalent in the metal product manufacturing factory(p<0.05). In the metal prouct manufacturing factory, workers treating organic solvents and oils had more dermatoses than those without treating the materials(p<0.05). On the skin patch performed on 16 workers in the metal product manufacturing factory, there were 8 cases of irritation dermatitis and 5 cases of contact dermatitis. Prevalence of contact dermatitis in the metal product manufacturing factory was 1.3%. 3. On the questionnaire survey, 34 dermatologists, 29 doctors of preventive medicine, and 22 family physician replied. The proportion of occupational etiology among all dermatoses assumed by the physicians were below 9%, and the most important occupational dermatosis in Korea was contact dermatitis. Main etiologic materials related to the occupational dermatosis were organic solvent, acid and alkali, and metals. The reason for the scarcity of report of occupational dermatoses were difficulty in diagnosis and physician's ignorance of the occupational etiology. They replied that to prevent the occupational dermatoses in the workplace, the use of protective devices was most important, and development of diagnostic criteria on the occupational dermatoses is urgent. Above results shows us that there is many workers with occupational dermatoses, but they are mostly unreported. Measures to prevent and manage the occupational dermatoses are not satisfactory at present. Hence, authors suggest measures for the precise diagnosis, report and prevention of the occupational dermatoses. a. Dermatologist, preventive physician, and industrial hygienist should work as a team to examine the high risk group and establish the preventive measures. b. Disease entities, diagnostic criteria of occupational dermatoses should be listed, criteria for the compensation and job fitting at recruitment should be established, and manual for the proper treatment and effective prevention of each occupational dermatosis should be developed. c. Patch test antigens against each occupational category should be developed and it should be available to any physicians responsible. d. To facilitate the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses by the doctors responsible for the Workersr Periodic Health Examination, development of standardized questionnaire, education on the techniques of the patch test, and cooperation with the dermatologist in diagnosis of occupational dermatoses is essential.

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Survey on Health Effects among Workers in the Humidifier Disinfectant Manufacturing Process (가습기 살균제 제조 공정 근로자 건강영향 조사)

  • Kang, Young Joong;Park, Soon Woo;Eom, Huisu;Kim, Eun-A
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.44 no.5
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    • pp.409-420
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    • 2018
  • Objectives: An outbreak of humidifier disinfectant-related respiratory disease has not only been a massive disaster for end users, but it is also a concern for the workers of the manufacturers. This study presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the health effects among workers involved in the manufacture of humidifier disinfectants. Methods: Seven sites where humidifier disinfectants were manufactured were identified. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the physical symptoms experienced by workers related to humidifier disinfectants. Among a total of 177 workers, 42 subjects were available for the survey. Results: Twenty-one of the 42 respondents reported that they experienced respiratory or skin and mucosal irritation symptoms during work. Of the respondents who experienced symptoms, 14 believed that their symptoms were related to the work process and reported that the symptoms were experienced while working. However, no respondents reported ongoing symptoms or sequelae during the investigation period, and this result could not minimize selection bias due to low response rates. We then compared the characteristics of the group who experienced suspicious symptoms with those of the group without any symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: We could not find significant health effects related to the humidifier disinfectant manufacturing process, although 21 respondents experienced stimulant symptoms and 14 respondents believed that the symptoms were related to the work process. Due to the long period of time after occupational exposure and the lack of data, there were many limitations to this study. However, this is one of the few follow-up investigations of workers related to this large-scale disaster in South Korea and the limitations of this study highlight the need to follow up with a nationwide database rather than an occasional survey.

Skin diseases of male workers in painting workplace (도장 부서 남성 근로자들의 피부 질환)

  • Park, Jae-Beom;Lee, Kyung-Jong;Jang, Jae-Yeon;Chung, Ho-Keun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.30 no.4 s.59
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    • pp.830-839
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    • 1997
  • Painting is risky work to occupational skin disease. This research was carried out to investigate the prevalence of occupational skin diseases in painting department of a shipyard company in June 1996. Dermatological examination, self-administered questionnaire survey were conducted. Exposed group(n=379) was selected randomly in painting department and control of group(n=151) was selected in those who had not exposed to paints or solvents. The prevalence of contact dermatitis(11.9%) is significantly elevated compared with control of group(2.6%), and odds ratio(OR) is 4.95 (95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.75-14.02). The prevalence of Tinea pedis, the most common skin disease, in exposure group is 48.0%, and its odds ratio(OR) is significantly elevated compared with control group (OR:3.18, 95% CI: 2.06-4.90). Pompholyx is also significantly elevated in prevalence(11.9%) and OR(OR:6.64, 95% CI:2.03-21.69). There were no difference in the prevalence of contact dermatitis, Tinea pedis, and pompholyx by use of personal protective equipments(PPE), job categories, and duration of employment in painting department. In exposure group, 71.1% suffer from contact dermatitis improved in vacation or holiday and 68.9% of them had lesion on exposed area, it suggest that contact dermatitis in exposed group is related to their work. In conclusion, workers in painting department have high risks of contact dermatitis, Tinea pedis, and pompholyx. A health policy should be provided to prevent skin disease among painting department.

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A Survey on the Occupational Health Nursing Activities for primary care (산업간호사의 의료행위 직무지침서 활용 및 의료행위직무 수행실태)

  • Yun, Soon Nyoung;Kirn, Soon Lae;Kim, Young Im;Song, Young Sook;An, Jung Hae;June, Kyung Ja;Cho, Tong Ran;Kim, Jeong Hees
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.5-17
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    • 2000
  • The occupational health nursing guideline for primary care was developed by the Korean Academic Society of occupational health nursing and the organization for occupational health nurses (currently known as the Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses) in 1993. Since then, there have been many changes in the health care environment and job performance of occupational health nurses. Appropriate revisions are necessary of the guidelinea based on this background. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of the occupational health nursing guideline for primary care and to analyze the characteristics of primary care activities by occupational health nurses. The questionnaire was mailed to 150 occupational health nurses(OHNs) with the response rate of 64%. The results can be summarized as follows; 1. 65.6% of OHNs have been using the guideline for primary care and 75.9% of them agreed that the guideline was be helpful for their job. 2. Common symptom care, emergency care and chronic illness care were more frequently implemented than occupational disease care by OHNs. In manufacturing industries, emergency care was more frequently implemented than chronic illness care in contrast to the service industries. 3. Most frequent common symptoms treated by OHNs were indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and coughing. In the case of chronic illness, OHNs more frequently treated diseases of the gastro-intestinal system, skin and sensory organs, and the respiratory system. Emergency care for bruises, burn, and abrasions was more frequently provided. VDT syndrome was the most common occupational disease cared by OHNs in manufacturing and service industries. 4. OHNs prescribed the medicine for external application more frequently than internal medicine. Remedy for colds, analgesics, vitamins, and digestives were more frequently used. From these results, we suggest that the guideline should be revised to emphasize the activities consisting problem finding such as health assessment, physical examinations, monitoring and screening, and to renew the drug list in the range of over- the counter medication (OTC). In the future, the guideline will include the strategies for the role as the case manager.

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Characteristics and Health Status of Outdoor Workers Exposed to High Temperature (우리나라 고온 노출 야외작업자의 특성과 건강수준)

  • Lee, Bokim
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.95-103
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    • 2022
  • Purpose: This study aims to identify general, workplace, and health-related characteristics of outdoor workers exposed to high temperatures, and to compare the risk of disease according to outdoor high temperature exposure. Methods: This secondary analysis study used the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (2017) to identify 4,915 outdoor workers exposed to high temperatures. Results: Outdoor workers exposed to high temperatures were mostly male, elderly, less educated, and daily contract workers. Most of them were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing, and construction industries. About 40~50% of them complained of musculoskeletal pain and overall fatigue. The results showed that high temperature exposure increased the risk of illness (hearing problem, skin problem, backache, muscular pains in upper and lower limbs, headache/eyestrain, injuries, depression, and overall fatigue) among workers. Conclusion: High temperature exposure might increase the risk of illness among workers. The results of this study demonstrated that the outdoor workers should be protected from high temperatures.

Features of Malignancy Prevalence among Children in the Aral Sea Region

  • Mamyrbayev, Arstan;Dyussembayeva, Nailya;Ibrayeva, Lyazzat;Satenova, Zhanna;Tulyayeva, Anara;Kireyeva, Nurgul;Zholmukhamedova, Dinara;Rybalkina, Dina;Yeleuov, Galymzhan;Yeleuov, Almasbek
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.12
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    • pp.5217-5221
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    • 2016
  • Objective: A study of primary cancer morbidity among children and subsequent calculation of average annual incidence were carried out for boys and girls, and young men and women in Kazakhstan. Methods: The investigated population lived in three areas of the Aral Sea region: designated catastrophe (Aral, Kazalt, Shalkar regions), crisis (Zhalagash, Karmakshy, Shiely regions), pre-crisis (Irgiz, Arys, Ulytau regions). Zhanaarka region of Karaganda oblast was applied as a control. Parameters were retrospective analyzed for the 10 years from 2004 to 2013. Result: The results indicate that indices of children cancer morbidity were slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control district, but they were comparable with similar data from studies in other regions. In all areas of the Aral Sea region, except for Ulytau, primary cancer morbidity exceeded the control level by 1.3-2.7 times (4.7%000). Hematological malignancies, including solid tumors - tumors of musculoskeletal system and skin, digestive system, brain and central nervous system predominated. Stress levels in zones of the Aral Sea region were slightly higher in the crisis zone than in the catastrophe zone that can be explained by the phenomenon of wave-like dynamics of disease growth risk. Gender differences in characteristics of malignancy formation were not more pronounced in the studied region. Conclusion: Indices of children cancer are slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control area of Kazakhstan, but they are comparable to results for other regions.

Green Tobacco Sickness Among Tobacco Harvesters in a Korean Village

  • Park, Sung-Jun;Lim, Hyun-Sul;Lee, Kwan;Yoo, Seok-Ju
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.71-74
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    • 2018
  • Background: Green tobacco sickness (GTS), an occupational disease in tobacco harvesters, is a form of acute nicotine intoxication by nicotine absorption through the skin from the wet green tobacco plant. We carried out a questionnaire survey and measured cotinine concentration, the metabolic product of nicotine, to determine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of GTS in Korean tobacco harvesters. Methods: We measured cotinine concentrations, and administered a questionnaire survey to tobacco harvesters in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. We repeatedly measured urine cotinine concentration five times with a questionnaire survey. Results: Cotinine concentration at dawn was significantly higher than that at other times; it was significantly lower during the nonharvesting period than during the harvesting period. However, little change in cotinine concentration was detected in the daytime during the harvesting period. Study participants included 20 men and 20 women. The prevalence of GTS was 37.5% and was significantly higher in women than in men (55.0% vs. 20.0%, p < 0.01). GTS incidence according to number of workdays was 3.4 occurrences/100 person days. Conclusion: In this study, nicotine exposure and metabolism were experimentally determined from the time of cotinine exposure, and biological monitoring was performed in each season. In the future, this information may be valuable for medical decision-making in GTS prevention.

Health Assessment for Glass Fibre Landfill at Gozan-dong, Inchon (인천시 고잔동에서 제기된 유리섬유에 의한 건강피해 역학 조사)

  • Cho, Soo-Hun;Ju, Yeong-Su;Kim, Kyung-Ryul;Lee, Kang-Kun;Hong, Kug-Sun;Eun, Hee-Chul;Song, Dong-Bin;Hong, Jae-Woong;Kwon, Ho-Jang;Ha, Mi-Na;Han, Sang-Hwan;Seong, Joo-Heon;Kang, Jong-Won
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.30 no.1 s.56
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    • pp.77-101
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    • 1997
  • In September 1994, residents of Gozan-dong, Incheon City, made a petition to the government about their health problems which might be caused by previous glass fibre landfill nearby 'H' company. In february 1995, at regular academic meeting of occupational and environmental medicine, a research team of 'D' University presented that they had found glass fibres in groundwater of the area through their survey. They were suspicious of probable association between ingestion of groundwater contaminated with glass fibres and skin tumors among residents. A joint research team was formed and carried out the survey of environment concerning groundwater and its glass fibre existence, and health assessment of residents in the area and industrial workers of 'H' company during May to November, 1995. Analysis of groundwater flow system indicates that the flow lines from the glass fibre landfill pass through or terminate at the 6 houses around the landfill. This means that the groundwater of the 6 houses around the glass fibre landfill could be affected by some possible contaminants from the landfill, but the groundwater quality of the other houses was irrelevant to the landfill. The qualitative and qualitative analyses for glass fibres in 54 groundwater samples including those from the nearby 6 houses, were carried out using SEM equipped with EDS, resulting in no evidence for the presence of glass fibres in the waters. Major precipitates, formed in waters while boiling, were identified as calcium carbonates, in particulary, aragonites in needle form. The results of health assessments of 889 residents in Gozan-dong, participated in this study, showed statistically significant differences in past medical histories of skin tumor and respiratory disease between the exposed group (31 persons who inhabited in 6 houses around the landfill) and the control group, but no significant differences in past medical histories of other diseases, such as cancer mortality, current gastroscopic findings, current skin diseases and respiratory diseases, etc. Also, we could not prove any glass fibres in excised specimens of 9 skin tumors in both groups and there were no health problems possibly associated with glass fibres in employees of the 'H' company. After all, we could not authenticate the association, raised by prior investigators, between groundwater streams, assumedly contaminated with glass fibres or not, and specific disease morbidities or common disease/symptom prevalences. That is, we could not find any glass fibres in groundwater as the only exposure factor of this study hypothesis, and there were not enough certain evidences such as increasing disease prevalences, for examples, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases etc, possibly related to glass fibre exposure, in exposed group. As a matter of course, the conditions for confirming causal association, for example, strength of the association, consistency of the association, specificity of the association, temporality of the association and dose-response relationship etc, have not been satisfied. In conclusion, we were not able to certify the hypothesis that contamination of groundwater with glass fibres might cause any hazardous health effects in residents who used it for drinking.

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"Beach Lifeguards' Sun Exposure and Sun Protection in Spain"

  • de Troya Martin, Magdalena;Sanchez, Nuria Blazquez;Garcia Harana, Cristina;Leiva, Ma Carmen Alarcon;Arjona, Jose Aguilera;Ruiz, Francisco Rivas;de Galvez Aranda, Ma Victoria
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.244-248
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    • 2021
  • Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m2, were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.

A study to identify an occupational hazards for hospital working health care providers from needle stick injury as an occupational hazards of health care providers in hospital and prevention (의료요원의 주사바늘 상해 실태와 예방대책을 위한 일 연구)

  • Han, Jung-Suk;Kang, Kyu-Sook;Kim, Hea-Sook
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.45-57
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    • 1995
  • A study .to identify an occupational hazards for hospital working health care providers from needle stick injury as an occupational hazards of health care providers in hospital and prevention A survey of 2430 health professionals (2184 nurses, 182 doctors, and 64 Lab technicians) was conducted to describe and provide information about 1) the experience of needle stick. 2) the number of needle stick, 3) the treatment after needle stick. 3) the situation of needle stick, 4) the report of needle stick, 5) the cause of needle stick, 6) the discard method of used needles, and 7) how to worry about getting infection disease after needle stick. Data were collected using questionnarires constructed by the authors and tested by a pilot study. Results of the study showed that 96.7% of the sample had an experience of needle stick (96.8% of the nurses, 96.7% of the doctors, and 92.2% of Lab technicians). Seventy seven percent of the sample experienced less than 10 needle sticks, 19% of the sample experienced 11 to 20 needle sticks, and the rest of the sample experienced more than 20 needle sticks. The situations where needle sticks occurred include intrvenous injection (36.5%), intramuscular injection (21.6%), blood withdraw (17.8%), and preparation(11.8%). The study showed that needle sticks (67.5%) usually occurred after client treatment. Health professionals used recapping method (55%) after they used needles. Needle sticks were predominantly caused by the carelessness of health professionals (61%), After needle sticks, 88.2% of the sample subjects treated needle sticks using disinfection technique by themselves. Most of health professionals (92.6%) did not report the accident. and 95.6% of them did not receive any test or further treatment. After needle sticks, 87.8% of nurses, 83.6% of doctors, and 96.6% of lab technicians worried about hepatitis infection. 'Health professionals also worried about AIDS infection, tetanus, venereal infection, and skin injury. These findings suggest that health professionals are at high-risk of needle stick and fail to report needle stick accidents. They should pay more attention to needle stick in order to avoid unwanted infection.

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