Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

A case of azoospermia in a non-destructive testing  worker exposed to radiation
ConclusionThe difference between the exposure dose records measured through TLD badge and the actual exposure dose implies that the monitor used by the NDT worker did not work properly, and such a difference could threaten the health and safety of workers. Thus, to protect the safety and health of NDT workers, education of workers and strengthening of law enforcement are required to ensure that regulations are strictly followed, and if necessary, random sampling of NDT workers using a cytogenetic dosimeter, such as FISH, should be considered. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - August 10, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Association of arsenobetaine with beta-cell function assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in nondiabetic Koreans: data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2009
ConclusionThis study revealed the association between urine arsenobetaine and pancreatic β-cell function assessed by HOMA-β in the normal population (without diabetes), especially in males, despite adjusting for factors affecting pancreatic β-cell function and diabetes. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - July 10, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat
ConclusionPersonal risk factors such as heat acclimation as well as environmental factors and high metabolic rate during work are the major determinants of heat-related illnesses. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 29, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

The work-relatedness at a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a radiation oncologist
ConclusionsBased on the following considerations, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was highly correlated with the level of radiation to which the case was exposed while performing brachytherapy on patients with cancer. Firstly, the latent period of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the case closely matched the latency time reported in previous published studies (5 –10 years). In addition, numerous studies have reported significantly higher relative risks of cancer among clinicians who perform RT compared with the general population. The case was also atypically exposed to radiation through his hands, despite wearing protectiv...
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 27, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

The associations between blood mercury levels and shark meat intake among workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do
ConclusionsShark meat intake and the ritual ofJesa contributed to an increase in the blood mercury levels of workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dietary exposure, occupational as well as other factors that may influence blood mercury concentrations in workers during their health examination, particularly in regions with high mercury exposures. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 27, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Hazards and health problems in occupations dominated by aged workers in South Korea
ConclusionJob-specific hazards should be reduced to prevent occupation-related disorders in elementary and skilled manual occupations that are dominated by aged workers. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 26, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Levels of blood lead and urinary cadmium in industrial complex residents in Ulsan
ConclusionsThis study found that blood lead levels and urine cadmium levels were significantly higher among the residents of industrial areas than among the non-exposure area residents, which is thought to be due to the difference in environmental exposure of lead and cadmium. Furthermore, it was clear that at a low level of exposure, differences in blood lead or urine cadmium levels based on age, gender, and smoking status were greater than the differences based on area of residence. Therefore, when evaluating heavy metal levels in the body at a low level of exposure, age, gender, and smoking status must be adjusted, as t...
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 26, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Perception of and attitude toward ethical issues among Korean occupational physicians
ConclusionsThis study evaluated the current perception of and attitude toward ethical issues among the Korean OPs. These findings will facilitate the development of a code of ethics and the ethical decision-making program forthe Korean OPs. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 24, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and sleep quality in fixed day indoor field workers in the electronics manufacturing industry in Korea
ConclusionsThis study investigated serum vitamin D levels in fixed day indoor field workers in the manufacturing industry in Korea and analyzed the relationship of vitamin D deficiency with sleep quality. A significant correlation was found between serum vitamin D deficiency and poor sleep quality. Based on the results of this study, sleep disorder management for workers can be improved by providing regular examinations checking their serum vitamin D levels and supplying vitamin D to workers with serum vitamin D deficiency to enhance their quality of sleep. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 24, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Comparison of facet joint degeneration in firefighters and hospital office workers
ConclusionThis study shows that FFs exhibit a greater likelihood of having FJD than HOWs after controlling for other risk factors of FJD. This suggests that the physical occupational demands of FFs affect their risk of developing FJD. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 24, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Blood cadmium and volume of uterine fibroids in premenopausal women
ConclusionsOur findings are the first that we know to report the association of blood cadmium concentrations with the volume of uterine fibroids. We expect that our findings will be used as evidence for supporting policies to improve premenopausal Korean women ’s health. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 22, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Erratum to: Practice status of specialized agencies for occupational health management of small- to medium-size enterprises and the factors improving their performance: a cross-sectional survey study
(Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 22, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Cases of acute mercury poisoning by mercury vapor exposure during the demolition of a fluorescent lamp factory
ConclusionAwareness of the perils of mercury and prevention of mercury exposure are critical for preventing health hazards caused by mercury vapor. Chelation therapy should be performed promptly following mercury poisoning to minimize damage. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 20, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Erratum to: The current condition of the workers ’ general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study
(Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 20, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research

Systemic sclerosis due to crystalline silica exposure among jewelry workers in Korea: two case reports
ConclusionTwo workers who processed crystals with a maximum crystalline silica content of 56.66% developed systemic sclerosis. Considering the epidemiological and experimental evidence, exposure to crystalline silica dust was an important risk factor for systemic sclerosis. An active intervention is necessary to reduce exposure in similar exposure groups in the field of jewelry processing. (Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Source: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - June 19, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research