• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.236-241
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• 2024

Background: Gasoline, a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Gasoline station attendants, consistently exposed to its hazardous components, may face genotoxic effects. This study aimed to assess the influence of varying work shift durations on DNA damage in gasoline station attendants. Methods: Ninety individuals from three locations in southern México were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay. Demographic, occupational, and lifestyle data were collected. Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results: Significant differences in DNA damage parameters were observed between exposed and unexposed groups. The impact of tobacco, alcohol, and exercise on DNA damage was negligible. Extended work shifts (12 and 24 hours) showed heightened DNA damage compared to 8-hour shifts and the unexposed group. A novel finding revealed a modest but significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority. Conclusion: The study highlights the intricate relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline components, DNA damage, and work shift lengths. Extended shifts correlate with heightened genotoxic effects, emphasizing the importance of personalized safety measures. The significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority introduces occupational longevity as a determinant in the genetic health of gasoline station attendants. This discovery has implications for implementing targeted interventions and preventive strategies to safeguard workers' genetic integrity throughout their years of service. The study calls for further exploration of unconsidered factors in understanding the multifactorial nature of DNA damage in this occupational setting.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived job stress and work environmental factors related with socioeconomics factors and physical burden in the golf caddies. Methods: Job stress in golf caddies was estimated by using the Karasek's job content questionnaire (JCQ) and work environmental factors were estimated by self-reported questionnaire and interview. Results: The subjects were 316 woman caddies who had never been occupationally exposed to hazardous chemicals, was mean age 31.1 years. Mean work duration was 6.44 years and working hours per day on low- and high-demand season were 6.16 and 10.51, respectively. The golf caddies displayed higher scores of job stress due to multiple factors such as working hours and frequency of rounding per week, physical burden, confliction, income satisfaction and employment stability. We found that high strain group was positive correlation with age, career, working hour (including frequency of rounding) and job demand, however, showed negative correlation with job decision latitude and support of supervisor and coworker. Conclusion: In conclusion, we suggest that the golf caddies be regard divided into high strain group as appropriate. Thus, stress management and health promotion program for golf caddies should be developed.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.86-90
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• 2014

Background: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was selected as a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to explore the accumulation level in the bodies of workers at rubber smoke sheet factories in southern Thailand. Methods: Spot urine samples were taken from four groups of workers from June 2006 to November 2007. The nonexposure or control groups included habitual cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. The other two groups were workers exposed to particle-bound PAHs from rubber wood smoke and they were nonsmokers. All spot urine samples were analyzed for 1-OHP and creatinine levels. Results: The mean${\pm}$standard deviation urinary 1-OHP in the control group of habitual smokers and the nonsmokers was $0.24{\pm}0.16{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine and not-detected to $0.14{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, respectively. In the workers, the 1-OHP levels on workdays had no significant difference from the 1-OHP levels on the days off. The yearly average 1-OHP level was $0.76{\pm}0.41{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine whereas the average 1-OHP level during 10 consecutive workdays was $1.06{\pm}0.29{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The urinary 1-OHP levels of workers exposed to PAHs were high. The accumulation of 1-OHP in the body was not clear although the workers had long working hours with few days off during their working experience. Therefore, a regular day off schedule and rotation shift work during high productive RSS should be set for RSS workers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.509-517
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the patterns of exposure of welders to strong magnetic fields for extended periods of time on the basis of their daily activities as recorded in a logbook. Methods: Male workers whose main job is welding, specifically seven welders occupied with gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW), two performing shielded metal arc welding(SMAW), and ten engaged in gas metal arc welding(GMAW), were measured in terms of the degree to which they were exposed to extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields over 24 hours by using an electromagnetic field meter(EMF meter), as well as based on a daily activity log. Results: The welders were exposed to $1.25{\pm}4.95{\mu}T$ of magnetic field per day on average. For those who spent more than half a day-735.26 minutes, or 51.1% of the day-at work, the figure averages $3.88{\pm}8.85{\mu}T$ with a maximum value of $221.28{\mu}T$. The subject welders spent $338.14{\pm}154.95$ minutes per day at home. During their stays at home, they were exposed to an average of $0.17{\pm}0.06{\mu}T$ with a maximum value of $3.50{\mu}T$. The maximum exposure of $221.28{\mu}T$ occurred when welders performed GMAW. The average exposure reached its highest at $17.71{\pm}6.96{\mu}T$ when conducting SMAW. Magnetic field exposure also depends upon posture: welders who sat while welding were exposed five times more than those who stood during work, and this difference is statistically significant. As for the relationship between distance from the welding power supply and maximum magnetic field exposure, maximum magnetic field exposure decreases as the distance increases. The average magnetic field exposure, in the meantime, showed no significant difference depending on distance. Conclusions: The following were observed through this study: 1) welders, while conducting jobs, are exposed to magnetic fields not only from the welding machine, but also from the surrounding base material due to the current flowing between the welding machine and base material, meaning that they are continuously exposed to a magnetic field; and 2) welders are more exposed to magnetic fields while they sit at a job compared to when they stand up.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.287-301
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• 2022

Objectives: This study compared the characteristics of the work environment between agricultural and general workers and analyzed the effects of agricultural working characteristics on work-related health problems. Methods: The participants of this study were 2,347 agricultural workers and 48,042 general workers who were selected by applying standardized weights to the raw data of 50,538 respondents from the 6th Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). Variables applicable to both worker groups and related to exposure to hazardous risk factors in the working environment, working hours and intensity of work, health problems and work-related status, and satisfaction with the work environment were selected. Chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests were performed to evaluate the differences in the variables between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of work environment characteristics on work-related health problems. Results: Compared to general workers, agricultural workers were more exposed to hazardous environments, irregular work patterns such as working on Saturday/Sunday, and short repetitive tasks. They reported more work-related and general health problems, including back pain, upper extremity muscle pain, lower extremity muscle pain, and general fatigue. Agricultural workers showed lower satisfaction with their work environment than general workers. Factors affecting one or more work-related health problems included gender, working years, hazardous factors, irregular work pattern, working hours, and labor intensity. Conclusions: Our findings showed that agricultural workers were relatively more vulnerable to safety issues compared to other occupational groups. Therefore, it is necessary to establish standardized safety and health standards and strengthen systematic safety and health management policies and services for agriculture.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.268-277
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• 2012

Objectives: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. Methods: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of head-aches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). Conclusion: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2021

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) emitted from vehicle exhaust might disrupt systemic function and elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the changes of cardiometabolic biomarkers among vehicle inspectors exposed daily to PM0.25 and components. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two vehicle inspection centers, Pulogadung and Ujung Menteng, located in East Jakarta, Indonesia. The exposed respondents were 43 workers from vehicle inspection centers, and the unexposed group consisted of 22 staff officers working in the same locations. Vehicle exhaust particulate matter was measured for eight hours using a Leland Legacy personal pump attached to a Sioutas Cascade Impactor. The used filters were 25 and 37-mm quartz filters. The particulate matter concentration was analyzed using a gravimetric method, whereas trace elements were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. An EEL Smoke Stain Reflectometer analyzed black carbon. Results: The personal exposure concentrations of PM0.25 were 10.4-fold higher than those in unexposed groups. Calcium and sulfur were the major components in the obtained dust, and their levels were 3.3- and 7.2-fold higher, respectively, in the exposed group. Based on an independent-samples t-test, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, HbA1c, total immunoglobulin E, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide levels were significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: In summary, it was suggested that PM0.25 exposure from vehicle exhaust might affect cardiometabolic biomarkers change.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.552-556
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• 2017

Evaluation of the durability and stability of materials used in power plants is of great importance because parts or components for turbines, heat exchangers and compressors are often exposed to extreme environments such as high temperature and pressure. In this work, high-temperature corrosion behavior of 316 L stainless steel in a carbon dioxide environment was studied to examine the applicability of a material for a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle as the next generation power plant system. The specimens were exposed in a high-purity carbon dioxide environment at temperatures ranging from 500 to $800^{\circ}C$ during 1000 hours. The features of the corroded products were examined by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, and the chemical compound was determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that while the 316 L stainless steel had good corrosion resistance in the range of $500-700^{\circ}C$ in the carbon dioxide environment, the corrosion resistance at $800^{\circ}C$ was very poor due to chipping the corroded products off, which resulted in a considerable loss in weight.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.132-141
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between psychosocial working conditions and psychological well-being depending on the gender among Korean interactive service workers. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the data extracted from the 2011 Korean Working Conditions Survey. For the present analysis, 15,669 workers who interact with others at work were selected. Based on the existing literature, a set of variables was chosen from the KWCS. Psychological well-being was measured using the WHO-5 well-being index. Results: The prevalence of poor psychological well-being was significantly higher among men (43.1%) than women (39.6%). Women were more likely to be exposed to demands for hiding emotions, bullying, and discrimination, whereas men were more likely to be exposed to psychological job demands, cognitive demands, demands for responsibility, role conflict and long working hours. Most factors were associated with poor well-being among women and men except demands for hiding emotions, skill discretion and development, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Conclusion: Based on these results, some practical suggestions are offered to help interactive service workers adjust to their duties.