• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-22
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• 1969

The urban population of our country is rapidly increasing due to many factors of social structure, and sociologists are predicting that the increase rate of the urban population will be over 50% in 1980's. Above all, the population of the capital city of Seoul, is at present more than four millions. Such centring of people in cities, together with the improvement of the standards of living, caused rapid increase in the amount of fuel consumption, and this consumption of fuels became one of the primary sources of the air pollution in cities. Moreover, the heavy traffic, construction of many tall buildings, and the increasing number of new factories due to the industrial development-all these are contributing to make the matter of air pollution worse and worse in the Metropolitan, whose geographical location is quite unfavorable considered from the view point of air pollution. Most homes in Seoul use briquet as fuel, while oils are used in tall buildings. The CO, $SO_2$, and smoke that come from burning of these fuels are a great threat to the health of the urban population. With the purpose of examining the influence of air pollution upon the public health, written inquiries were made upon respiratory diseases, and the carboxyhemoglobin saturation in the blood was measured to determine whether the air pollution may affect the health of the urban population. Method of Health Examination (1) Investigation of Respiratory Diseases Patients' records were examined to figure out the monthly ambulance rate of respiratory patients to the total number of patients treated. On the other hand, by using the questionnaire form approved by the Medical Research Council's Committee on Research into Chronic Bronchitis, investigators interviewed the examinees and inquired into the respiratory symptoms. (2) Measuring of Carboxyhemoglobin Saturation From the ear lobe of the examinees, with the use of the melangeur for the white blood cell counting, blood was taken, and after diluting it ten times with 0.1% $Na{2}CO_{3}$, again diulting it 20 times with 0.5% $Na_{2}\;CO_{3}$, its absorbancy was measured. The following results are obtained from the investigation. (1) It was found out that 7.7% of the total patients under treatment were suffering from upper respiratory infection, acute or chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema and bronchiectasis. Of them all, patients with upper respiratory infection numbered the greatest with 4.8% and patients with acute or chronic bronchitis the next with 2.1%, and their monthly ambulance rate was high from December to February during the winter, and from April to May and from September to October during the changeable seasons. (2) The daily ambulance rate of respiratory patients, it was revealed, had a close connection with the concentration of $SO_2$ and CO in the air. (3) It was found out that men were more subject to respiratory disease than women, and both men and women were more liable to the diseases with the advancing of age. (4) People living at Choong-ku with the heavy traffic and in the industrial zones of Yeungdungpo had high frequency of respiratory symptoms. (5) Considered from the view point of occupations, high frequency was found among those without job, with jobs unknown, merchants and intdustrial workers, whose social status was rather low and traffic policemen who were always exposed to the exhaust gas of cars. As for women, the frequency was detected in the order of those from high to low, housewives who were exposed to briquet gas, women with jobs unknown, women without jobs, whose social status was low. (6) Ex-smokers rather than smokers, of both sexes, had higher frequency. As for men, heavy smokers had high frequency, while in women light smokers had rather high frequency which was presumed to be due to their average old age. (7) Men's average of carboxyhemoglobin saturation was 9.48%, while women's was 11.3%, higher than men's. (p<0.05). Age meant no difference in the case of men, but as for women, the saturation was remarkably high between the ages from 20 to 60. (8) No regional difference was detected in the carboxyhemoglobin saturation. (9) The carboxyhemoglobin saturation was found, in the case of men, in the order of office workers, traffic policemen, students, the unemployed, merchants and industrial workers, drivers; and as for women, the order was housewives, office workers, merchants and industrial workers. (10) No significant correlation was found between the carboxyhemoglobin saturation and the concentration of CO detected in kitchens, or between the carhoxyhemoglobin saturation and the passing of time after exposure to briquet gas. No difference of carboxyhemoglobin saturation was detected between smokers and non-smokers, and the degrees of smoking; only, significant negative correlation was found between the passing of time after smoking and the carboxyhemoglobin saturation. It is ture that air pollution causes or aggravates the respiratory diseases, increases the carboxyhemoglobin saturation in the blood, but what seems to be more hazardous to the health is the air polluted by the briquet gas in the kitchens and on-dol rooms rather than the atmospheric air pollution.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.230-242
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• 2005

Background : Spirometry should be compared with the normal predictive values obtained from the same population using the same procedures, because different ethnicity and different procedures are known to influence the spirometry results. This study was performed to obtain the normal predictive values of the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second($FEV_1$), Forced Expiratory Volume in 6 Seconds($FEV_6$), and $FEV_1/FVC$ for a representative Korean population. Methods : Based on the 2000 Population Census of the National Statistical Office of Korea, stratified random sampling was carried out to obtain representative samples of the Korean population. This study was performed as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea in 2001. The lung function was measured using the standardized methods and protocols recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Among those 4,816 subjects who had performed spirometry performed, there was a total of 1,212 nonsmokers (206 males and 1,006 females) with no significant history of respiratory diseases and symptoms, with clear chest X-rays, and with no significant exposure to respiratory hazards subjects. Their residence and age distribution was representative of the whole nation. Mixed effect models were examined based on the Akaike's information criteria in statistical analysis, and those variables common to both genders were analyzed by regression analysis to obtain the final equations. Results : The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_6$ for males and females were $age^2$, height, and weight. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1$ for males and females were $age^2$, and height. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1/FVC$ for male and female were age and height. Conclusion : The predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_1$ was higher in this study than in other Korean or foreign studies, even though the difference was < 10%. When compared with those predicted values for Caucasian populations, the study results were actually comparable or higher, which might be due to the stricter criteria of the normal population and the systemic quality controls applied to the whole study procedures together with the rapid physical growth of the younger generations in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.314-323
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• 2006

This study was conducted to identify ingredients of thinners and to confirm reliability of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of thinners for public and workers' health. The 41 thinner products were collected from paint shops located in Busan and Gyeongnam province. The 12 thinner products among them were identified using product MSDS. GC-MSD was used to analyze 41 kinds of thinners qualitatively and quantitatively. The 12 products MSDS were compared with thinner's component through qualitative analysis to confirm MSDS. Chemical ingredients, such as Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene etc., of thinners were analysed in quantity. The 41 thinner products contained 17 disclosed specific, trade name, or generically described chemical solvent ingredients. These 17 ingredients came under 6 classes: alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, glycol ethers, ketones, and mixtures. These 17 ingredients were important in the view of industrial hygiene and had occupational exposure limit in the ambient, such as toluene, xylene, acetone, nonane, EGEE, heptane, cumene, MIBK, indene, tri-methyl benzene, etc, were found in 41 kinds of thinners. Aromatic hydrocarbons were the most identified ingredient in thinners. Especially, the benzene, which induces leukemia, was found in 4 kinds of thinners. The content rates of benzene in thinners were 0.25~1.18%. The benzene in enamel thinner, which were 0.39~0.72%, was highest from chemical classification. The contents of toluene, which was found from 27 kinds of thinners, were 5.35~64.16%, which were highest in sobu thinner as 58.80%. Xylene was found from 22 kinds of thinners and contents of xylene were 4.61~72.42%. Acrylic thinner's contents of xylene were 12.06~51.05%, which was most high. It was found that contents of benzene were increased and frequency of detection was decreased through comparison with other study. The MSDS possession rate of paint shops was low as 29.27%. So it did not provide information with public or workers. Mean of agreement rate between MSDS and components of thinners through qualitative analysis was 42.01% and it has wide range from 8.3% to 75%. There are many deficiencies in MSDS about component of thinners. In some case of sample, expecially, despite containing benzene, information was not written it on MSDS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 1998

South Korea has been producing asbestos over 60 years. The use of asbestos was over 50 years for production of asbestos slate and 27 years for asbestos friction materials including asbestos textile and brake-lining. Thus, it can be supposed that asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma could be found in the vulnerable workers exposed to asbestos in 1955-1975, given the average latency period of 10-30 years. Asbestos was produced primarily by Japanese during World War II In Korea. The production of chrysotile peaked to 4,815 tons in 1944. From 1978 to 1984, 10,000 tons of asbestos were produced annually. However, the production was interrupted by raising labor costs and extinction of mine reserves, and finally they had to depend on import for the need of asbestos. In 1945, there were 16 asbestos mines, in total, with the addition of new asbestos mines in South Korea. Imports of asbestos was increased from 74,000 tons to 95,000 tons during the period of 1976 - 1992. But the imports was reduced to 88,000 tons in 1995. Since, in addition to the import of asbestos itself, the imports of asbestos products were increased as well and the accumulation of asbestos reached to 30,000 tons during the period of 1964 to 1993. In 1965, there was only one asbestos company with 207 employees. But the size of asbestos industry has been expanded so much that 118 asbestos companies could be found in 1993 with 1,476 workers. However, there was no record on the survey of asbestos concentration to which workers were exposed in any companies in 1983. The record of the air-borne concentration of the asbestos in textile working places in 1984 showed 6.7 fibers/cc by geometric mean(GM), but it was reduced to 1.2 fibers/cc in 1993. GMs of asbestos in working places for construction materials and asbestos textiles were also decreased from 1.7 fibers/cc to 0.55 fibers/cc during the period of 1984 - 1996.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.43
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• pp.117-151
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• 2008

This paper regards former Samsung lawyer Kim Yong-Chul's action of claiming Samsung Group's slush fund as typical Whistle-Blowing from inside. News frames in KBS, SBS TV were examined through comparative analysis. In formal feature, 'episodic news frame' hold an absolute majority in both stations. From news sources, the group of whistle-blower such as lawyer Kim Yong-Chul and civic groups was confronted with Samsung and state authorities including the Prosecutor, financial agencies. Analysis on the theme of news coverages demonstrated 5 frames: 'public announcing frame', 'news of conflict frame' 'demanding a close inquiry frame', 'declaration of conscience frame', 'causing social upheaval frame', Analysis result shows that 'public announcing frame' was most frequently used in reporting and there was distinction between KBS and SBS in 'declaration of conscience frame' and 'causing social upheaval frame'. Relatively KBS preferred 'declaration of conscience frame' and SBS would use 'causing social upheaval frame', from which reciprocal relation as media ownership could be analogized. Both media tend to make light of in-depth news coverages on structural issues or essential settlement and it is shown that both stations treated this situation with intriguing audiences as stressing sensitive parts in this event. Follow-up of changing process of 'declaration of conscience frame' through diachronic analysis on framing informs that additional exposure of 'Lee Yong Chul', former secretary in Nov 19, 2007 influenced increasing of frequency of using 'declaration of conscience frame'. However, news reporting on whistle-blower in KBS and SBS generally adheres to passive attitude of following changes in the surroundings rather than playing an active role in improving social recognition on whistle-blowing, which can induce to the spread of negative feature on it. Thus it is assumed that terrestial television broadcasting should regard whistle-blowing as contradiction in social structures and active depth reporting seems to be neded for improving social recognition on whistle-blowing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2012

This study examined the protective effects of an ethanol extract of Youngia denticulata leaf (YDL) and Youngia denticulata root (YDR), and Youngia sonchifolia leaf (YSL) and Youngia sonchifolia root (YSR) on acute ethanol-intoxicated rat. The rats were pretreated with an ethanol extract of YDL, YDR, YSL and YSR for 4 weeks before being exposed to ethanol (5 g ethanol, po/kg BW). The biochemical indices (hepatic alcohol metabolic enzymes and serum ALT activities, and hepatic and serum lipid profiles) were examined to evaluate the protective effects. The hepatic ADH activities in all experimental groups were not changed significantly by acute ethanol after a pretreatment with the YS and YD ethanol extracts. In contrast, the ALDH activity in EC (ethanol control) was higher than that of NC (normal control); these activities in the YDL and YSL groups were significantly higher than that of the EC group. On the other hand, acute ethanol exposure resulted in a significant increase in the serum TG, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, hepatic TG, total lipid and cholesterol levels, and serum ALT activity, and a decrease in the serum HDL-cholesterol. A pretreatment with the YS and YD ethanol extracts dramatically attenuated these adverse effects. In particular, the YDL pretreatment markedly suppressed the ethanol-induced increase in the serum and hepatic TG and total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, serum ethanol was decreased by a pretreatment with YSL, YSR, YDL, or YDR. Overall, YD and YS ethanol extracts attenuate acute ethanol-induced hyperlipidemia and fatty liver significantly. Nevertheless, further study will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.113-131
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the exposure levels of worker exposed to welding fume and metals in confined spaces of a shipyard. The airborne concentration of welding fumes and metal elements in confined spaces were compared with those in open working areas. Results of the study were as follows. 1. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in a confined space was $16.6mg/m^3$, which contained $3.9mg/m^3$ Fe, $1.2mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.8mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.008mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in open working areas was $5.2mg/m^3$, which contained $1.1mg/m^3$ Fe, $0.3mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.3mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.004mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.0003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in confined spaces was 3,2 times higher than that in open working areas. The geometric mean concentrations of such metals as Fe, Mg, Zn, or Cu within fume in confined spaces were 2-4 times higher than those in open working areas, while little difference made such metals as Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd. 2. In 32 samples out of a total of 39 samples (82.1%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV. while so did 19 samples out of 33 samples (57.6%) in open working areas. As for the concentrations of metals in welding flume from confined spaces, Fe exceeded TLV in 14 out of a total of 38 samples (36.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 23 out of a total of 38 samples (60.5%). As for the concentration of metals in welding fume from open working areas, Fe exceeded TLV in 3 out of a total of 34 samples (8.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 6 out of a total of 34 samples (17.6%). Considering additive effect among metals, in 31 out of a total of 39 samples (79.5%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV, while so did 14 out of 38 samples (55.6%) in open working areas. 3. In respect of base metal and welding type the concentration of total welding fume by $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel was the highest, followed by semiauto MMA/mild steel, then followed by TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. ; as for concentration of metal within fume, a decreasing order was Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb in $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel and semiauto MMA/mild steel, but Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni in TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. 4. In case of welding base metal covered by paint, contents of Zn within red paint chip and within gray paint chip were 14.0% and 0.08% respectively, which showed a little difference, while the airborne concentrations of Zn within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $1.351mg/m^3$ and $1.018mg/m^3$ respectively, which showed little difference. As for Pb, contents of red paint chip and gray paint chip were 0.14% and 0.08% respectively, and the airborne concentrations within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $0.009mg/m^3$ and $0.007mg/m^3$ respectively, both of which showed little difference.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.113-142
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• 2018

In recent years, there have been opinions in which physicians are liable to the revocation of their medical license if they are sentenced to above a certain level for criminal charges regardless of the types of offenses. Accordingly, a revised bill of law was submitted in the National Assembly, and related discussions are thus expected to commence. Considering the morality and ethics or the level of the rule of law that the general public expects of physicians, as well as the license revocation system in other professional sectors, it is assessed that medical license revocation due to criminal convictions of physicians is appropriate to some degree. However, if a poorly devised system is established based on unrefined inferences or emotional judgements, unexpected side-effects are likely to arise. With regard to serious criminal acts that society generally perceives as unacceptable, it can be assessed that the revocation of physicians' licenses would appropriately protect the general public from threats. However, given the life-saving characteristics of high-risk medical practices, higher malpractice exposures, and social values, it is difficult to assess charges of professional negligence resulting in death(or in injury) and minor offences in the same manner as anti-social criminal offences are handled. Physicians need to be treated the same as any other professions. At the same time, they are engaged in administering medical treatment to patients in the face of great risks as professionals. Under the circumstances, a discussion on the introduction of a more specific and empirical system is needed by considering the intrinsic characteristics of medical treatment and the need for an equitable health and medical policy. Accordingly, based on the above judgment and perception, this study explores the code of ethics for physicians and medical license revocation related to criminal offences at home and abroad, and examines various legislative alternatives appropriate for the Republic of Korea. In doing so, the purpose of the study is to contribute to the development of a reasonable system for handling criminal offences by physicians.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.53-66
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• 1993

By this time, a few of previous studies of factors related to separation from their jobs and job satisfaction only have dealt with the separation rate. the cause of separation and related factors that induce job satisfaction and incentive factors, the actualities of morale some suggestions for reduction of the separation rate. This study is attempted to determine factors that have effect on job satisfaction of national hospital nurses. and to proide information and materials for the development of the administration of nursing through the appreciation of factors influencing on job satisfaction between isolated ward nurses and general ward nurses working at national hospitals. 185 nurses of national hospitals responsed th this study, and were divided into two groups. Group 1: 57 nurses working at isolated wards for tuberculosis patients and Group 2 : 128 nurses at general wards. Relevant data were collected from August, 5, 1992 through August 20, 1992. The questionnaire consisted of 8 genalized items and 4 items concerning job satisfaction. The collected data were processed with SPSS, and the relationship among vaviables was analyzed by means of $X^2-test$, Pearson Correlation, Multiple Regression. The results of this study are as follows: 1. There is no significant difference between two groups in terms of generalized items. Age distributions show $44.3\%$ under the category of less than 34. and $55.7\%$ under the category more than 35, $19.3%$ was single and $74.6\%$ was married respectively. 2. $79.4\%$ of the nurses have the desire to have in-service education under the satisfactory physical environments such as welfare system, accommodating structures and facilities, instruments or management systems of the hospital, but under the category of unsatisfactory circumstances, $60.3\%$ have the intention of having in- service education. The concern in terms of in-service education shows statistically significant difference between two groups $(X^2=8.85,\;p<0. 05)$. This result accepts the hypothesis that good physical environments could intensify interests in service education. 3. The extent of satisfaction related to psychological environments is heightend according to good physical environments. In result, the hypothesis that the extent of satisfaction in terms of physical environments could raise satisfaction about psychological environment is accepted. 4. In the light of the extent of satisfaction about physical environments, $33.3\%$ of isolated ward nurses are satisfied with physical environments, but only $11.7\%$ of general ward nurses are satisfied. $(X^2=10.88,\; p<0.01)$. This result shows that the satisfaction degree about phusicalenvironments of isolated war nurses was higher than that of general ward nurses in spite of high physical and psychological risks due to exposure to infection. Consequently. the hypothesis was rejected that the satisfaction degree about physical environments would be lower in isolated ward nurses than in general ward nurses. 5. The fact that $87.7%$ of isolated ward nurses took interest in service education and $53.19\%$ of general ward nurses took interest in service education demonstrats that isolated ward nurse have more interest in service education than gerneral ward nurses. The result shows that the hypothesis is accepted that isolated ward nurses would have mor interests in service education than general ward nurses. 6. In the extent of satisfaction about physical environments such as morale human relationship promotion, there is no significant difference between two groups in terms of statistics. The hypothesis is rejected that satisfaction about psychologic environments would be high in isolated ward nurses than in general ward nurses. In conclusion. factors influencing on job satisfaction are considered to have effect on. another, and also interdisciplinary amelioration of factors accompanied with systematic inter cooperative investigation is necessary.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.3 s.47
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• pp.517-530
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• 1994

For the purpose of providing the basic data for health management of workers who are exposed to chromium and for improving the quality of working environment, the authors evaluated blood and urinary level of chromium, the occupational history. AST, ALT, Hb, Hct, nasal specular examinaton on 287 workers who have been dealed chromium compounds in 56 manufacturing Industries of five types, that is, 38 metal plating services(plating),4 manufacture of other fabricated metal products (fabricated metal product), 5 manufacturing of dyestuff(dyestuff), 6 dressing and dyeing of leather(leather), 3 others(manufacture of pottery and ceramic househod wares, motor vehicles, electronic valves and tubes and other electronic components) and also measured the level of chromium in air from February to October 1993. The results were as follows ; 1. The utilized type of chromium compounds was the hexavalent state in plating fabricated metal product dyestuff, leather and the trivalent state in .other, and atmosperic chromium concentration as geometric mean was $0.0138mg/m^3(0.001{\sim}0.068mg/m^3)$ in plating, $0.0115mg/m^3(0.006{\sim}0.015mg/m^3)$ in fabricated matal product, $0.068mg/m^3(0.002{\sim}0.019mg/m^3)$ in dyestuff, $0.0083mg/m^3(0.002{\sim}0.028mg/m^3)$ in leather $0.0039mg/m^3(0.003{\sim}0.005mg/m^3)$ in other by the type of industry and it exceeded TLV-TWA ($0.05mg/m^3$) in five (13.6%) of plating services. 2. The geometric mean of chromium in blood was $1.54{\mu}g/dl(0.10{\sim}3.62{\mu}g/dl)$ in Plantng, $0.94{\mu}g/dl(0.27{\sim}2.82{\mu}g/dl)$ in fabricated metal product, $0.51{\mu}g/dl(0.10{\sim}3.25{\mu}g/dl)$ in dyestuff, $0.87{\mu}g/dl(0.15{\sim}8.00{\mu}g/dl)$ in leather, $0.55{\mu}g/dl(0.20{\sim}2.28{\mu}g/dl)$ in other by the type of industry(p<0.001). 3. The geometric mean of chromium in urine was $14.47{\mu}g/l(6.90{\sim}28.00{\mu}g/l)$ in planting, $4.63{\mu}g/l(0.24{\sim}43.00{\mu}g/l)$ in fabricated metal product, $5.93{\mu}g/l(1.00{\sim}33.00{\mu}g/l)$ in dyestuff, $11.09{\mu}g/l(0.80{\sim}48.00{\mu}g/l)$ in leather, $12.41{\mu}g/l(10.10{\sim}41.00{\mu}g/l)$ in other by the type of industry(p<0.001). 4. As the result of nasal specular examination, twenty four cases (8.4%) of nasal septal perforation among 287 total subjects was observed, and there were 17 (9.7%) cases in plating, 4 csaes (14.3%) in dressing and dyeing of leather. In the comparison of chromium concentration in blood and urine between the perforated group and non-perforated group, the perforated group showed a significantly higher value as $1.883{\pm}3.055{\mu}g/dl\;and\;0.793{\pm}0.815{\mu}g/dl$(P<0.001), $21.31{\pm}34.610{\mu}g/L\;and\;9.304{\pm}11.079{\mu}g/L$ (P<0.001). 5. The mean concentration of chromium in blood, urine and the mean level of AST, ALT, Hb and Hct in exposure group were higher than those of control group(p<0.001).