• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.412-424
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• 2015

Objectives: An ultra dry air environment of nearly ${\leq}2%$ RH is often required in lithium battery factories. The objective of this study is to evaluate the subjective eye, pulmonary, nose, and skin symptoms of workers exposed to ultra-low relative humidity and thionyl chloride. Methods: We recruited 274 workers using a self-reported questionnaire in March 2014. Those who worked in ultra-low relative humidity and with thionyl chloride were identified and their prevalence of symptoms was compared with that of other workers. We excluded white collar workers, researchers and other workers who were exposed to various hazard factors, and finally included 164 workers. Results: There were significant differences in the rate of self-reported eye and skin symptoms between exposure group_1 and exposure group_2. Exposure group_2 experienced more frequent eye, and skin symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression analysis for experience of dry eye symptoms and skin symptoms in exposure group_2 showed that dry eye symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 6.33, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.19-18.24, p<0.001), and itchiness (OR, 6.45, 95% CI, 1.94-21.43, p<0.01) were the significant variables. The complaints of workers experiencing ultra-low relative humidity and thionyl chloride were high compared with other workers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that exposure to ultra-low relative humidity and thionyl chloride may be associated with more frequent eye and skin symptoms than exposure to ultra-low relative humidity alone. The current precautions to protect workers from the adverse effects of ultra-low relative humidity and thionyl chloride appear to be insufficient, indicating that additional management plans to reduce symptoms should be considered.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2004

As number of new housing construction has been growing, the increasing number of people experiencing from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is distinct. The purpose of this study is to examine the symptoms reported by residents responses to cope with the syndrome and to investigate their environmental characteristics considered relevant to the syndrome. Respondents were housewives living in apartments and were more likely to stay at home. 170 data were collected by both web-based internet survey and conventional questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the symptom appeared very diverse and composite. The most common symptom was eye irritation. Among diverse coping behaviors, ventilation was most popular.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2011

Human occupational exposure to n-hexane has been associated with neurobehavioral symptoms such as depression, irritablity, acute irritation symptom, concentration disturbance and fatigue. Effects of monoamine oxidase (MAO) B and serotonin transporter receptor (5-HTTR) polymorphisms on the neurobehavioral symptoms were investigated in 70 male workers from TV and computer monitor manufacturing plants exposed to n-hexane. Neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire and ambient level of n-hexane was measured by NIOSH method. Blood and urine were collected from each workers to determine the MAO(B), 5-HTTR and urinary 2,5-hexanedione(2,5-HD). The mean concentration of volatile n-hexane was $18.8{\pm}28.8ppm$ and that of urinary 2,5-HD was $1.07{\pm}1.47mg/g$ creatinine. Statistically significant associations with sexual disturbance were age and smoking. The frequencies of MAO(B) AA, AG and GG were 18.6%, 45.7% and 35.7%, respectively, and the frequencies of 5-HTTR ll, ls and ss genotype were 82.9%, 15.7% and 1.4%, respectively. MAO (B) gene polymorphisms had susceptibility to the neurobehavioral symptoms such as fatigue, concentration disturbance, irritability and acute irritation symptom and 5-HTTR gene polymorphism had susceptibility to the sleep disturbance and acute irritation symptom. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the neurobehavioral symptoms, memory disturbance was significantly associated with smoking(OR=6.752, 95% CI=37.46) and drinking(OR=4.033, 95% CI=1.252-12.98), emotional lability was MAO(B) genotype(OR=0.412, 95% CI=0.170-0.996), fatigue (OR=1.011, 95% CI=1.000-1.021) and acute irritation(OR=0.990, 95% CI=0.981-1.000) were working duration and sexual disturbance were significantly associated with age(OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.042-1.399), ambient n-hexane(OR=1.077, 95% CI=1.005-1.154) and 2,5-HD(OR=0.186, 95% CI=0.041-0.841). This finding implies that the MAO (B) and 5-HTTR polymorphisms may affect susceptibility for specific neurobehavioral symptoms associated with n-hexane exposure in workers.