Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Article

Reconstruction of Radiation Dose Received by Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists in Korea: Yeongchull Choi, Jaeyoung Kim, Jung Jeung Lee, Jae Kwan Jun, Won Jin Lee; J Prev Med Public Health. 2016;49(5):288-300. Published online August 23, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.16.064

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Objectives
Diagnostic medical radiation workers in Korea have been officially monitored for their occupational radiation doses since 1996. The purpose of this study was to design models for reconstructing unknown individual radiation doses to which diagnostic radiation technologists were exposed before 1996.
Methods
Radiation dose reconstruction models were developed by using cross-sectional survey data and the personal badge doses of 8167 radiologic technologists. The models included calendar year and age as predictors, and the participants were grouped into six categories according to their sex and facility type. The annual doses between 1971 and 1995 for those who were employed before 1996 were estimated using these models.
Results
The calendar year and age were inversely related to the estimated radiation doses in the models of all six groups. The annual median estimated doses decreased from 9.45 mSv in 1971 to 1.26 mSv in 1995, and the associated dose variation also decreased with time. The estimated median badge doses from 1996 (1.22 mSv) to 2011 (0.30 mSv) were similar to the measured doses (1.68 mSv to 0.21 mSv) for the same years. Similar results were observed for all six groups.
Conclusions
The reconstruction models developed in this study may be useful for estimating historical occupational radiation doses received by medical radiologic technologists in Korea.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Trends in Occupational Radiation Doses for U.S. Radiologic Technologists Performing General Radiologic and Nuclear Medicine Procedures, 1980–2015
Daphnée Villoing, David Borrego, Dale L. Preston, Bruce H. Alexander, André Rose, Mark Salasky, Martha S. Linet, Choonsik Lee, Cari M. Kitahara
Radiology.2021; 300(3): 605. CrossRef
Estimation of the historical radiation dose of Korean radiation workers, 1961–1983
Dalnim Lee, Won Jin Lee, Young Woo Jin, Jiyeong Kim, Soojin Park, Sunhoo Park, Songwon Seo
Journal of Radiological Protection.2021; 41(4): 1005. CrossRef
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE CHARACTERISTICS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RADIATION DOSES AMONG KOREAN RADIATION WORKERS
Jiyeong Kim, Songwon Seo, Dal Nim Lee, Soojin Park, Ki-Jung Im, Sunhoo Park, Young Woo Jin
Radiation Protection Dosimetry.2020; 189(1): 106. CrossRef
Thyroid cancer risks among medical radiation workers in South Korea, 1996–2015
Won Jin Lee, Dale L. Preston, Eun Shil Cha, Seulki Ko, Hyeyeun Lim
Environmental Health.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
ESTIMATION OF ORGAN DOSES AMONG DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL RADIATION WORKERS IN SOUTH KOREA
Yeongchull Choi, Eun Shil Cha, Ye Jin Bang, Seulki Ko, Mina Ha, Choonsik Lee, Won Jin Lee
Radiation Protection Dosimetry.2018; 179(2): 142. CrossRef
Projected lifetime cancer risks from occupational radiation exposure among diagnostic medical radiation workers in South Korea
Won Jin Lee, Yeongchull Choi, Seulki Ko, Eun Shil Cha, Jaeyoung Kim, Young Min Kim, Kyoung Ae Kong, Songwon Seo, Ye Jin Bang, Yae Won Ha
BMC Cancer.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Assessing the health effects associated with occupational radiation exposure in Korean radiation workers: protocol for a prospective cohort study
Songwon Seo, Wan Young Lim, Dal Nim Lee, Jung Un Kim, Eun Shil Cha, Ye Jin Bang, Won Jin Lee, Sunhoo Park, Young Woo Jin
BMJ Open.2018; 8(3): e017359. CrossRef

English Abstract

Reliability of Self-Reported Information by Farmers on Pesticide Use.: Yo Han Lee, Eun Shil Cha, Eun Kyeong Moon, Kyoung Ae Kong, Sang Baek Koh, Yun Keun Lee, Won Jin Lee; J Prev Med Public Health. 2010;43(6):535-542.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.6.535

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Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Exposure assessment is a major challenge faced by studies that evaluate the association between pesticide exposure and adverse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of information that farmers self-report regarding their pesticide use. METHODS: Twenty five items based upon existing questionnaires were designed to focus on pesticide exposure. In 2009 a self-administrated survey was conducted on two occasions four weeks apart among 205 farmers residing in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces. For a reliability measure, we calculated the percentage agreement, the kappa statistics and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the two reports according to the characteristics of the subjects. RESULTS: Agreement for ever-never use of any pesticide was 96.4% (kappa 0.61). For both 'years used' and 'age at the first use' of overall pesticides, high agreement was obtained (ICC: 0.88 and, 0.78, respectively), whereas those of 'days used' and 'hours used' were relatively low (ICC: 0.42 and, 0.66, respectively). The kappa value for the use of personal protective equipment ranged from 0.46 to 0.59, and hygiene activities came out at 0.19 to 0.37. The agreement for individual pesticide use ranged widely and there was relatively low agreement due to the low response rates. The reliability scores did not significantly vary according to gender, age, the education level, the types of crop or the years of farming. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that carefully designed, self-reported information on ever-never pesticide use among farmers is reliable. However, the reliability of data on individual pesticide exposure may be unstable due to low response rates and needs to be refined.

Summary

Citations

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Evaluation of two-year recall of self-reported pesticide exposure among Ugandan smallholder farmers
William Mueller, Aggrey Atuhaire, Ruth Mubeezi, Iris van den Brenk, Hans Kromhout, Ioannis Basinas, Kate Jones, Andrew Povey, Martie van Tongeren, Anne-Helen Harding, Karen S. Galea, Samuel Fuhrimann
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2022; 240: 113911. CrossRef
Recall of exposure in UK farmers and pesticide applicators: trends with follow-up time
William Mueller, Kate Jones, Hani Mohamed, Neil Bennett, Anne-Helen Harding, Gillian Frost, Andrew Povey, Ioannis Basinas, Hans Kromhout, Martie van Tongeren, Samuel Fuhrimann, Karen S Galea
Annals of Work Exposures and Health.2022; 66(6): 754. CrossRef
Increased risk of atherosclerosis associated with pesticide exposure in rural areas in Korea
Sungjin Park, Jung Ran Choi, Sung-Kyung Kim, Solam Lee, Kyungsuk Lee, Jang-Young Kim, Sung-Soo Oh, Sang-Baek Koh, Paula Boaventura
PLOS ONE.2020; 15(5): e0232531. CrossRef
Exposure to pesticides and the prevalence of diabetes in a rural population in Korea
Sungjin Park, Sung-Kyung Kim, Jae-Yeop Kim, Kyungsuk Lee, Jung Ran Choi, Sei-Jin Chang, Choon Hee Chung, Kyu-Sang Park, Sung-Soo Oh, Sang-Baek Koh
NeuroToxicology.2019; 70: 12. CrossRef
Reliability of self‐reported questionnaire on occupational radiation practices among diagnostic radiologic technologists
Moon Jung Kim, Eun Shil Cha, Yousun Ko, Byung Chul Chun, Won Jin Lee
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2017; 60(4): 377. CrossRef
Comparison of Questionnaire Items Used to Evaluate the Level of Occupational and Environmental Exposure in Questionnaires for Epidemiological Studies
Jiyeon Lim, Hyung-Suk Yoon, Mansuk Park, Young Seoub Hong, Jong-Koo Lee, Se-Eun Oh, Daehee Kang, Kyoung-Mu Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2016; 42(2): 71. CrossRef
Symptom Prevalence and Work-related Risk Factors of Acute Pesticide Poisoning among Korean Farmers in Gyeong-gi Province
Hyang Seok Lee, Ji Hoon Lee, Soo Yong Roh, Ho Gil Kim, Kyung Jun Lee, Sun Ju Nam-gung, Soon Chan Kwon, Soo Jin Lee
Journal of agricultural medicine and community health.2015; 40(4): 228. CrossRef
A Pilot Study for Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and Information on Pesticide Use among Farmers
Hyun-Joong Kim, Eun-Shil Cha, Eun-Kyeong Moon, You-Sun Ko, Jae-Young Kim, Mi-Hye Jeong, Won-Jin Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(1): 22. CrossRef
Pesticide Exposure and Health
Won-Jin Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(2): 81. CrossRef

Meta-Analysis

Radiation Exposure and Cancer Mortality Among Nuclear Power Plant Workers: a Meta-analysis.: Eun Sook Park, Kieun Moon, Han Na Kim, Won Jin Lee, Young Woo Jin; J Prev Med Public Health. 2010;43(2):185-192.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.2.185

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Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between low external doses of ionizing radiation exposure and the risk of cancer mortality among nuclear power plant workers. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE using key words related to low dose and cancer risk. The selected articles were restricted to those written in English from 1990 to January 2009. We excluded those studies with no fit to the selection criteria and we included the cited references in published articles to minimize publication bias. Through this process, a total of 11 epidemiologic studies were finally included. RESULTS: We found significant decreased deaths from all cancers (SMR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62 - 0.90), all cancers excluding leukemia, solid cancer, mouth and pharynx, esophagus, stomach, rectum, liver and gallbladder, pancreas, lung, prostate, lymphopoietic and hematopoitic cancer. The findings of this meta-analysis were similar with those of the 15 Country Collaborative Study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A publication bias was found only for liver and gallbladder cancer (p = 0.015). Heterogeneity was observed for all cancers, all cancers excluding leukemia, solid cancer, esophagus, colon and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of low mortality for stomach, rectum, liver and gallbladder cancers may explained by the health worker effect. Yet further studies are needed to clarify the low SMR of cancers, for which there is no useful screening tool, in nuclear power plant workers.

Summary

Citations

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Average Accumulated Radiation Doses for Global Nuclear Workers: Low Doses, Low Effects, and Comparison with Doses for Medical Radiologists
A. N. Koterov, A. R. Tukov, L. N. Ushenkova, M. V. Kalinina, A. P. Biryukov
Biology Bulletin.2022; 49(12): 2475. CrossRef
Fiber-optic humidity sensor system for the monitoring and detection of coolant leakage in nuclear power plants
Hye Jin Kim, Hyun Young Shin, Cheol Ho Pyeon, Sin Kim, Bongsoo Lee
Nuclear Engineering and Technology.2020; 52(8): 1689. CrossRef
Occupational Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis
Srmena Krstev, Anders Knutsson
Journal of Cancer Prevention.2019; 24(2): 91. CrossRef
An Update on Occupation and Prostate Cancer
Glenn Doolan, Geza Benke, Graham Giles
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2014; 15(2): 501. CrossRef

English Abstract

A Literature Review on Health Effects of Exposure to Oil Spill.: Mina Ha, Won Jin Lee, Seungmin Lee, Hae Kwan Cheong; J Prev Med Public Health. 2008;41(5):345-354.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.5.345

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OBJECTIVES
Our objective is to review and summarize the previous studies on the health effects of exposure to oil spills in order to make suggestions for mid- and long-term study plans regarding the health effects of the Hebei Spirit oil spill occured in Korea. METHODS: We searched PubMed to systemically retrieve reports on the human health effects related to oil spill accidents. The papers' reference lists and reviews on the topic were searched as well. RESULTS: We found 24 articles that examined seven oil spill accidents worldwide over the period from 1989 to August 2008, including the Exxon Valdes, Braer, Sea Empress, Erika, Nakhodka, Prestige and Tasman Spirit oil spills. Most of the studies applied cross-sectional and short-term follow-up study designs. The exposure level was measured by assessing the place of residence, using a questionnaire and environmental and personal monitoring. Studies on the acute or immediate health effects mainly focused on the subjective physical symptoms related to clean-up work or residential exposure. Late or mid-term follow-up studies were performed to investigate a range of health effects such as pulmonary function and endocrine, immunologic and genetic toxicity. The economic and social impact of the accidents resulted in the socio-psychological exposure and the psychosocial health effects. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of the health effects of exposure to oil spills should consider a range of health outcomes, including the physical and psychological effects, and the studies should be extended for a considerable period of time to study the long-term chronic health effects.

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Meghan Tipre, Anne Turner-Henson, Hemant K. Tiwari, Julia Gohlke, Ligong Chen, Mark Leader, Nalini Sathiakumar
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Original Articles

Cancer Screening Rate and Related Factors in Rural Area.: Kun Sei Lee, Soung Hoon Chang, Won Jin Lee; Korean J Prev Med. 2000;33(3):364-372.

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Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Cancer is the second most frequent cause of death in Korea. Cancer screening tests can save lives through early detection. Enhancing the cancer screening rate is an important strategy for reducing cancer mortality. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the screening rate and related factors in a rural area. The study investigated relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, several preventive behaviors, and the experience of several cancer screening behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was recruited voluntarily from the three rural areas(Myen) in Chungju city. The participants completed structured questionnaire from July 21, 1998 to July 26, 1998. RESULTS: The proportions of the study population who had previously received stomach, liver, breast, or cervix cancer screening tests were 24.5%, 18.5%, 27.0%, 59.2% respectively. The 1-year screening rates of stomach, liver, breast, and cervix cancer were 7.4%, 6.8%, 8.6%, 15.6% respectively. In multivariate logistic analysis, some sociodemographic variables, preventive behaviors, or psychological variables were significantly associated with several cancer screening tests. Those who had previously received a stomach cancer screening test were significantly associated with the presence of chronic disease, physician? recommendation, use of alcohol family history of cancer, or previous liver cancer screening test. Those who had previously received a liver cancer screening test were associated with education level, physician? recommendation and previous stomach cancer screening test. Those who had received a cervix cancer screening test were significantly associated with education level, presence of a transportation vehicle, physician? recommendation use of alcohol and previous breast cancer screening test. And those who had received a previous breast cancer screening test were significantly associated with age, marital status, and earlier cervix cancer screening test. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study a strategy to promote cancer screening and health objectives at the district level can be made.; Summary

The Relationship Between Hippuric Acid in Blood Plasma and Toluene Concentration in the Air of Workplace.: Cheon Hyun Hwang, Won Jin Lee, Soung Hoon Chang, Hyoung Ah Kim; Korean J Prev Med. 2000;33(1):45-50.

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Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was undertaken to evaluate correlation between the levels of hippuric acid in blood plasma (HAP) and those of toluene concentration in the workplace air. METHODS: Study subjects were composed of two groups; 21 workers who were occupationally exposed to toluene and 25 rural-area residents who were not exposed to any known occupational toluene source, as an exposed group and a reference group, respectively. Mean age and work duration of the exposed was 42 years and five years, respectively. Mean age of the reference was 42 years. To determine toluene concentrations in the workplace air, air sampling has been conducted for more than six hours using a personal sampler, and analyzed by a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Concentrations of hippuric acid in biological samples were determined by a high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector. RESULTS: Geometric mean(geometric standard deviation) of HAP and hippuric acid in urine(HAU) for the exposed was 1.39(2.21) mg/L and 2.77(1.46) g/L, respectively, which were significantly different from those of the reference [HAP, 0.45(2.94); HAU, 0.37(0.45)]. Toluene concentration in the workplace air was 86.92(range: 45.18~151.23) ppm. The level of HAP or HAU was significantly correlated (r=0.70 and r=0.63, respectively) with that of toluene in the workplace air. The estimated regression equation was logHAP(mg/L)=-3.60+1.93 log(toluene, ppm) or logHAU(g/L)=-0.85+0.67 log(toluene, ppm). The magnitude of correlation was further enhanced when analyzing relationship between toluene concentrations lower than 100 ppm and its corresponding HAP levels. CONCLUSION: Overall, plasma hippuric acid levels were well correlated with toluene concentrations in the workplace air, and a statistically significant correlation was observed for the samples with toluene concentration lower than 100 ppm.; Summary

Factors Associated with the Use of Pap Test in a Rural Area.: Kun Sei Lee, Hye Won Koo, Won Jin Lee, Soung Hoon Chang, Keun Young Yoo; Korean J Prev Med. 1999;32(2):147-154.

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Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To construct basic data to develop strategies for achieving higher Pap test coverage rate by evaluating factors associated with the use of Pap test through population-based survey. METHODS: 16.4%(671) of the 4,090 women, who were eligible population for this study, in 3 Myens of Chung-ju City participated in this study voluntarily from July 21 to 26, 1997. After basic physical examination by trained doctors, they were interviewed with structured questionnaire by well-educated interviewers. RESULTS: It shows that only 54.3% of study participants experienced Pap test. The strongest factor which is related with the use of Pap test was the history of having breast screening tests(aOR=8.71, 95% CI=4.25-17.84). Probability of ever having Pap test was also higher in married women(aOR of single=0.46, 95% CI=0.29-0.72), younger(Ptrend<0.05), more educated (Ptrend<0.001), non-smoker (aOR of smoker=0.26, 95% CI=0.12-0.55), women of ever having hepatitis test(aOR=2.60, 95% CI=1.73-3.88) in multiple linear logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that several factors significantly associated with the use of Pap test, and especially, high-risk population for cervical cancer such as women of older ages, less educated, living alone are less likely to have the Pap test. We should concentrate on encouraging high-risk women in the use of Pap test to improve Pap test coverage rate.; Summary

Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidants in Workers Exposed to Lead.: Won Jin Lee, Cheon Hyun Hwang, Cheong Sik Kim, Soung Hoon Chang, Yang Ho Kim, Hae Joon Kim; Korean J Prev Med. 1998;31(3):449-459.

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Abstract PDF: This study was started to find out if plasma malondialdehyde(MDA), alpha-tocopherol and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity could be markers of biological activity resulting from exposed to lead in workers. Blood samples were randomly obtained from lead -exposed workers(n=29), CO2 welders(n=60) and office workers(n=60). We used whole blood to analyse blood lead with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocyte was measured with spetrophotometer. MDA and alpha-tocopherol in plasma were measured with high performance liquid chromatography. Lead-exposed workers was significantly high in blood lead concentration(29.37 ng/dl) compared with welders(6.42 ng/dl) and office workers(5.01 ng/dl). The level of plasma MDA was significantly higher in the lead-exposed workers(1.87 nmol/g cholesterol) than the welders(1.41 nmol/g cholesterol) and office workers(1.41 nmol/g cholesterol). Erythrocyte SOD activity in lead-exposed workers(56.80 U/g Hb) was significantly increased than those of welders(37.63 U/g Hb) and office workers(20.47 U/g Hb). The plasma alpha-tocopherol level of lead-exposed workers(4.93 ng/g cholesterol) was statistically different from welders(4.25 ng/g cholesterol) and office workers(4.28 ng/g cholesterol). Neither age nor smoking was related to SOD or MDA level. Blood lead was significantly correlated with erythrocyte SOD activity(r=0.405), plasma MDA(r=0.296) and alpha-tocopherol(r=0.207). Plasma MDA was also significantly correlated with SOD (r=0.217). In multiple regression analysis, the change of MDA and SOD activity level related to the blood lead concentration. These results suggested that the increase of plasma MDA and erythrocyte SOD activity in lead-exposed workers had a close relationship with the oxidative stress induced by lead.; Summary

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Packing Workers in A Rayon Manufacturing Factory.: Won Jin Lee, Eun Il Lee, Chul Whan Cha; Korean J Prev Med. 1992;25(1):26-33.

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Abstract PDF: The carpal tunnel syndromes is one of the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes. The typical symptoms are pain, numbness and paresthesia in the median nerve territory of the hand. Recently, it is widely recognized that occupational factor is regarded as the important cause of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical study is performed in the 42 female workers who is repetitively working at packing department in a rayon manufacturing factory from November 1991 till March 1992. The study included a questionnaire, physical examinations, and the neurophysiological test. The summary of the results obtained was as follows: 1. Among 42 packing workers, 9 workers(21.4%) were diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome by electromyography. The affected side was bilateral in 4 workers(9.5%), right in 4 workers(9.5%), and left in one worker(2.4%). 2. Among 42 subjects, 28 workers(66.7%) complained the clinical symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome, 11 workers(26.2%) showed positive Phalen sign, and 7 workers(16.7%) showed positive Tinel sign. 3. Researchers regard electromyographic finding as the gold standard for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The sensitivity and specificity of the clinical symptoms to diagnose the carpal tunnel syndrome were 0.89, 0.39 respectively. If the carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed by the combination of the positive findings of the symptoms and the physical examinations, either Tinel of Phalen sign, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.76 respectively. Considering above results, though this small number of worker is not adequate for epidemiologic conclusions, carpal tunnel syndrome seems to be an important occupational disorder among packing workers in a rayon manufacturing factory.; Summary

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