• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.02a
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• pp.49-64
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• 2004

o The risk of being admitted with respiratory disease is increased by 9% on the Asian dust day o The risk of cardiovascular admission is increased by 5% o During the great dust event in 2002, the counts of respiratory admission seems to be increased, but we couldn't observed the epidemic of respiratory disease o The Asian dust events are weakly associated with daily mortality

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.304-311
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported symptoms of occupational asthma, occupational rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms between a direct exposure to flour dust group and a non-exposure group from the bakery industry. Methods: The participants were 62 workers directly exposed to flour dust and 30 non-exposed workers. The survey was composed of questions related to general characteristics. Korean self-reported respiratory symptoms(SNU-93), occupational asthma, and occupational rhinitis data was collected from April to July 2017. Results: The smoking rate among the direct exposure to flour dust workers was 67.7% and the mean of working hours(11-12) was 96.8%. The SNU-93 questionnaire revealed that respiratory symptoms in the chest and wheezing or whistling were significantly higher among the direct-exposure group than non-exposure group. The response for occupational asthma symptoms was significantly higher in the direct exposure group(2.4 points) than in the non-exposure group(1.6 points). Conclusion: In order to decrease the symptoms of these respiratory diseases among bakery workers exposed to flour dust, it is necessary to reduce working hours and the smoking rate. The performance of periodic medical examinations is needed to find abnormal respiratory diseases. In addition, workers who have been diagnosed with asthma and rhinitis should consider switching to a process that is not exposed to flour dust.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.719-723
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• 2006

House dust mite was the most important cause of allergic asthma and rhinitis. More than 70% of Korean children and about 50% of adult with respiratory allergy were sensitive to house dust mite. This experiment was indoor environment in house and house dust mite existence inquiry. From 23rd December 2005 to 28th February 2006, dust samples were collected from the bedclothes by a vacuum cleaner and air sampler And the levels of Der f1 and Der p1 were determined by ELISA((Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The results were as follows : 1 The dust mites allergy contaminations of bedclothes in house were higher than international standards(2000 ng/g). 2. In type of dust mite, the Korean house the almost have the D. farinae other than D. pteronyeeinus of mite. 3. The Der f1 and Der p1 levels per gram of dust from the bedclothes were 2074.99 ng on average, but they did not exist in air. The concentrations of house dust mite were significantly high in the bedclothes. This results suggest that the bedclothes have enough concentrations of dust mites to develop the sensitization. The control of indoor environment should be emphasized to prevent the sensitization by the repeated exposure to dust mite.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.25-35
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• 2013

In swine house, dust generation comes from various sources and is known to be harmful both for the animals and the farmers because the dust contains biological and gaseous matters. When farmers are constantly exposed to the dusts, they can suffer chronic or acute respiratory symptoms and have high probability of manifesting various diseases. To address this problem, understanding of the mechanism of dust generation is very important. In this paper, the dust concentration of inhalable, respirable, TSP and $PM_{10}$ were monitored and analyzed according to the pig-activity level, ventilation quantity and feeding method in fattening pig house. From the measured results, in case of the concentration of TSP, an inverse-linear relation with ventilation rate ($R^2=0.88$) and linear relation with the installation height of feed supply pipe ($R^2=0.73$) were determined. However in case of the concentration of $PM_{10}$, no particular relationship with the variables was observed. Using the concentration of inhalable and respirable dust based on the pig-activity level, multi-variate regression analysis was conducted and results have shown that the movement of pigs can contribute to the dust generation (p＜0.05, $R^2=0.71$, 0.61). The relationship determined between dust generation and environmental variables investigated in this study is very significant and useful in conducting dust-reduction researches.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.39.1-39.14
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• 2023

Background: Diseases affecting the lungs and airways contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The problem in low- and middle-income countries appears to be exacerbated by a shift in global manufacturing base to these countries and inadequate enforcement of environmental and safety standards. In Ghana, the potential adverse effects on respiratory function associated with occupational wood dust exposure have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Sixty-four male sawmill workers and 64 non-woodworkers participated in this study. The concentration of wood dust exposure, prevalence and likelihood of association of respiratory symptoms with wood dust exposure and changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in association with wood dust exposure were determined from dust concentration measurements, symptoms questionnaire and lung function test parameters. Results: Sawmill workers were exposed to inhalable dust concentration of 3.09 ± 0.04 mg/m³ but did not use respirators and engaged in personal grooming habits that are known to increase dust inhalation. The sawmill operators also showed higher prevalence and likelihoods of association with respiratory symptoms, a significant cross-shift decline in some PFT parameters and a shift towards a restrictive pattern of lung dysfunction by end of daily shift. The before-shift PFT parameters of woodworkers were comparable to those of non-woodworkers, indicating a lack of chronic effects of wood dust exposure. Conclusions: Wood dust exposure at the study site was associated with acute respiratory symptoms and acute changes in some PFT parameters. This calls for institution and enforcement of workplace and environmental safety policies to minimise exposure at sawmill operating sites, and ultimately, decrease the burden of respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 2005

Objectives: During the spring of 2002, an unprecedented 2 Asian dust events were experienced in Seoul. On those days, the $PM_{10}$ was surprisingly increased, with daily $PM_{10}$ averages exceeding $600\;and\;700{\mu}g/m^3$ on March 21 and April 8, respectively. Accordingly, public concern relating to the possible adverse health effects of these dust events has increased, as the dust arrives in Korea after having flown over heavily industrialized eastern China. We investigated the effects of these Asian dust events on the mortality during the spring of 2002, in Seoul, Korea. Methods: The total number of deaths per day during the spring of 2002 in Seoul was extracted form the mortality records of the National Statistical Office. We constructed 14 Asian dust days (March 17-March 23, April 7-April 13) and 42 control days during the 56 day study period (March 3-April 27) with respect to the days of the week. The daily average numbers of deaths between the Asian dust and control days were analyzed, with adjustment for meteorological variables and pollutants. Results: The daily PM10 average during the Asian dust weeks was $295.2{\mu}g/m^3$, which was significantly higher than during the control days (p<0.001). The daily average number of deaths from all causes during the Asian dust days was 109.9; 65.6 for those aged 65 years and older, 6.7 from respiratory causes (J00-J99) and 25.6 from cardiovascular causes (I00-I99). The estimated percentage increases in the rate of deaths were 2.5% (95% CI=-5.0-10.6) from all causes; 2.2% (95% CI=-7.4-12.8) for those aged 65 years and older, and 36.5% (95% CI=0.7-85.0) from respiratory causes, but with a 6.1% (95% CI=-19.7-9.7) decrease in deaths from cardiovascular causes. Conclusion: The Asian dust events were found to be weakly associated with the risk of death from all causes. However, the association between dust events and deaths from respiratory causes was stronger. This suggests that persons with advanced respiratory diseases may be susceptible to Asian dust events.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.85-97
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was intended to investigate the revision status of the occupational exposure standards for aluminum at home and abroad; to investigate worker exposure at domestic aluminum manufacturing and handling workplaces; to conduct social and economic evaluation for the revision of domestic aluminum exposure limits. Methods: We investigated the current status of occupational exposure limits for aluminum at home and abroad, and analyzed supporting data. An exposure survey was conducted targeting domestic aluminum manufacturing and handling workplaces. Based on these, revised aluminum occupational exposure limits were proposed. Results: The major aluminum exposure limits at home and abroad show a notable difference. The toxicity of aluminum, which was revealed through animal experiments and epidemiological investigations. The average concentration of aluminum in the air at 12 workplaces was 0.016 mg/m³, and the maximum was 0.0776 mg/m³. When total dust and respiratory dust were measured side by side and simultaneously for the same process, 12.1% of the total mass concentration of aluminum dust was respiratory dust. As a result of measuring and comparing the size distribution of dust with an optical particle counter in real time, 48.1% of the total dust in the form of welding fume and pyro-powder was respiratory dust. Based on the literature review and workplace survey, three proposals for changing the aluminum exposure limit were proposed. Proposal (1): For all types, 10 mg/m³ is unified as the exposure limit except for soluble salts and alkyls. Proposal (2): 1(R) mg/m³ as the exposure limit for all forms except soluble salts and alkyl. Proposal (3): 1(R) mg/m³ for pyro-powder and welding fume, and 10 mg/m³ for metal dust, aluminum oxide, and insoluble compounds as exposure standards. A pyro-powder was defined as dry aluminum powder of 200 mesh size (74 ㎛) or smaller (larger size classified as metal dust). Reason for setting: In the workplace survey, the ratio of respiratory dust to total dust was analyzed to be about 1:10, so it was judged that the domestic standard and the ACGIH standard were compatible. Conclusions: In all scenarios according to the revision of the exposure standard, the B/C ratio was greater than 1 or only benefits existed, so it was evaluated as sufficiently reasonable as a result of the socio-economic evaluation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate health risk awareness pertaining to fine dust exposure and the use of face masks in farmers, as well as their attitude toward education regarding fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. Methods: In total, 295 farmers were interviewed in a survey using a structured questionnaire to obtain data on general characteristics, farming-related characteristics, health risk awareness pertaining to fine dust exposure, attitude toward education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention and the use of face masks. This study was analyzed the correlation between the perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure and willingness to participate in education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. Results: The mean score for perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure was 3.8 (out of 5), and the participants were highly willing to receive education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention. In Multiple response analysis of reactions to exposure to fine dust generated during work, 221 participants responded that they practiced at least one preventive action; participants gave a positive response to "wearing masks" (56.1%), "personal hygiene, such as hand washing." (52.9%). In terms of education methods, 94 (33.6%) participants preferred to learn online or via text messages. Conclusions: The significant correlation between the perceived susceptibility to fine dust exposure and willingness to participate in education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention shows the importance of promoting education on prevention. The results of this study can help understand as reference for education on fine dust-related respiratory disease prevention.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we assessed respiratory hazards in the working environment as the work-relatedness of occupational diseases were examined. Methods: The subjects of the study were three Korean meat roasting restaurants, one Chinese restaurant, and two cafeterias. Measurement items were total dust, respirable dust, fine dust (PM_2.5), PAHs, TVOCs, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Results: The concentration of total dust and respiratory dust in the restaurant was low. Most PAHs were undetectable, but some Napthalene and Acenaphthylene was detected. Thirteen kinds of PAHs were detected in one sample of roasted meat, and Benzo(a)pyrene was 1.496 ㎍/㎥. PM_2.5, TVOCs, CO, and CO₂ were instantaneously high, but the average concentration was low. NO₂ was not detected. Conclusions: The results show that harmful substances such as PM_2.5, PAHs, CO, and TVOCs were generated in the air in the catering industry. When roasting meat, Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen related to lung cancer, was generated among PAHs. Lung cancer can occur when working for a long time in such a working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment for the health of restaurant workers, and it is necessary to evaluate the concentration of harmful substances by cooking method through further research.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.346-354
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the changes and regional differences of mortality and morbidity particularly respiratory system diseases in the area of exposure to coal dust(Ansim area, Dong-gu, Daegu). Methods: The authors analyzed secondary data(cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data) for respiratory system diseases. We calculated age standardized incidence ratio(SIR), mortality ratio(SMR), and health care utilization ratio(SHR) using those data. Results: There were no significant differences between Ansim area(or Dong-gu, Daegu) and the control area for cancer registration data and mortality data. In the results for the health insurance data, significant increased SHR in asthma was observed compared to the control area. Conclusions: Although confounders such as selection bias were not clearly ruled out, our findings reveal increased asthma SHR in the area of exposure to coal dust. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the increasing respiratory disease due to exposure to coal dust.