Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

A Study on the Size of Dust in Workplaces of a Shipyard.: Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Ryu; Korean J Prev Med. 1998;31(1):104-111.

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Abstract PDF: To obtain the basic information that can be used as a factor for explaining the diversity of welders' pneumoconiosis, the authors measured the concentrations of dust according to the size of dust in 71 workplaces of a shipyard where welders' pneumoconiosis have occurred. The concentrations of dust according to the size of dust showed no difference between workplaces regardless of kinds of work.; Summary

The Diagnostic Role of HRCT in Simple Pneumoconiosis.: Kyoung Ah Kim, Ji Hong Kim, Hwang Sin Chang, Hyeong Sook Ahn, Young Lim, Im Goung Yun; Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(3):471-482.

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Abstract PDF: Early recognition of coalescence in pneumoconiotic lesions is important because such coalescence is associated with the respiratory symptoms and deterioration of lung function. This complicated form of pneumoconiosis also has worse prognosis than does simple pneumoconiosis. High resolution computerized tomography(HRCT) provides significant additional information on the stage of the pneumoconiosis because it easily detects coalescence of nodules and emphysema that may not be apparent on the simple radiograph. The Purpose of this study is to clarify the role of HRCT in detection of large opacity and the relationship of change between the coalescence of nodules or emphysema and lung function in dust exposed workers. 1. There was good correlation between the HRCT grade of pneumoconiosis and ILO category of profusion. 5(9.09%) in 55 study population had confluent nodule extending over two or more cuts on HRCT. HRCT could identify the pneumoconiotic nodules which was not found by simple radiography in 6 workers with category 0/0. 2. No significant difference was observed coalescence of nodules and emphysema by dust type. 3. There was no significant difference in pulmonary function according to ILO and HRCT classification. 4. HRCT could detect the significant reduction in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEER, FEF25, FEF50, and FEF75 and remarkable increase in RV and TLC in study persons with emphysema compared with non-emphysema group. 5. Emphysema was found more often in nodules-coalescence group than small opacity group by HRCT. We found that HRCT could easily detect areas of coalescence and complicated emphysema compared to plain chest X-ray. Also our data suggest that it is primarily the degree of emphysema rather than the degree of pneumoconiosis that determines the level of pulmonary function.; Summary

A Study on Workers Exposed to Diatomaceous Earth Dust and Development of Pneumoconiosis in a Diatomite Factory.: Hyun Suk Lim, Sung Soon Kim, Won Jae Lee; Korean J Prev Med. 1995;28(1):1-12.

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Abstract PDF: Diatomaceous earth, quarried from the remains of aquatic plants deposited millions of years ago, continues to be a very important raw material with many industrial uses. In its natural state diatomaceous earth is an amorphous silica with no crystalline pattern. For many uses, however, it is calcinated and calcination converts a portion of the amorphous silica to a crystalline form, cristobalite which is far more fibrogenic. In a factory which produces calcinated diatomaceous earth, seven workers were proved as pneumoconiosis on l991 and 1992. Authors reviewed medical chart and current status of them. Authors also examined thirty one subject from the factory with questionnaire, physical examination, spirometry and chest radiography on August 13th 1993. The radiographs were independently interpreted by two radiologists and their findings were classified by International Classification of Radiography of pneumoconiosis(lLO, 1980). Total and respirable dust of diatomaceous earth were measured on october 1993. The results were as follows: 1.Of 31 workers, 6 (19.4%) were diagnosed as diatomaceous earth pneumoconiosis. There was an increasing tendency in prevalence of pneumocoiosis as the duration of dust exposure gets longer. 2. There were no significant differences in age, smoking rate, alcohol drinking rate, and pulmonary function test results between cases and non-cases. 3. The means of total dust exposures at flour manufacturing, fire brick grinding and packaging, ceramic raws packaging processes exceeded Korean and AGGIH standards, 10mg/m3. Above results suggest that engineering controls, periodic environmental and medical surveillance are important for preventing pneumoconiosis in the diatomite factory.; Summary

Serum protein concentrations and electrophoretic patterns by categories of small opacity profusions in coal workers' pneumoconioses.: Jeong Pyo Hong, Ho Keun Chung; Korean J Prev Med. 1991;24(1):1-7.

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Abstract PDF: The concentrations of serum proteins fractions and their electrophoretical patterns were investigated in 135 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis who participated in confirmative examination for pneumoconiosis in December 1989. Their radiographical profusions were classified as 1/0 or more. Agarose film and phosphoric acid-sodium hydroxide buffer(pH 8.6) were used for electrophoresis. Concentration of each protein fractions and electrophoretical patterns seemed to be equivalent to reference values. Serum alpah1- and beta-globulin concentrations, however, were significantly different(p<0.50) among categories of small opacity profusions and showed the lowest level in the group of category 1. Albumin concentrations decreased and alpha2-globulin concentrations increased significantly(p<0.05) in the group of complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. gamma-globulin concentrations were not varied by category of profusions nor by pulmonary tuberculosis complication.; Summary

A Study on the Early Diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis.: Young Lim, Im Goung Yun; Korean J Prev Med. 1990;23(3):262-273.

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Abstract PDF: In order to assess the method which is more sensitive one to detect the early change of lung tissue by the inhaled dust, we have performed the various medical examinations such as chest radiography, pulmonary function test, high resolution chest CT, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy used bronchoscope and ultrathin bronchoscopy examination to 48 persons. The control group were 8 persons who did not exposed to dust, 40 cases of the experimental group have professionally exposed to the mineral dust. The results were as follows ; 1. The total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group classified by chest and high resolution chest CT. 2. The composition rate of macrophage to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly decreased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 3. The composition rate of neutophils and lymphocytes to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 4. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMF), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were significantly increased only in the group of the progressed pneumoconiosis relatively. 5. We observed submocosal edema, anthracotic pigmentation and granuloma formation in transbronchial lung biopsy of the suspected pneumoconiosis (category 0/1) case which is thought to the early change of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.; Summary

Concentrations of lead, iron and zinc in blood of coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients.: Ho Chun Choi, Ho Keun Chung, Hae Jeong Kim; Korean J Prev Med. 1989;22(4):486-494.

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Abstract PDF: Lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in whole blood were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using a simple one-step dilution procedure, which were measured in 3 groups, 98 officers unexposed to dust or to metal, 58 coal miners without pneumoconiosis, and 113 coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) patients. The results were as follows; 1. The precisions (C. V.%) of lead, iron, and zinc in blood were 12.65+/-6.95%, 1.47+/-1.25% and 6.35+/-3.34%, respectively. 2. Lead and zinc in blood showed the log-normal distribution unlike iron in blood which showed normal distribution. 3. Lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in blood of 3 groups were follows. There was significant difference of concentration far zinc in blood by groups statistically. 4. The difference of lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in blood was not significant (p>0.05) by profusion on chest radiographs.; Summary

Gas diffusion effect on Nifedipine in coal workers pneumoconiosis by radio-opacity size.: Yong Hee Cheon; Korean J Prev Med. 1989;22(3):323-327.

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Abstract PDF: Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity(DLco) was evaluated before and after nifedipine administration in coal workers' pneumoconiosis by the size of radioopacity. Nifedipine was administered to 18 men and 17 men of small round opacity group and large opacity group respectively. Placebo was administered to 19 men and 15 men of small and large opacity group respectively. In large opacity group DLco was increased after nifedipine administration. But, it was not significant statistically(0.05 < p < 0.01). In other groups, there were no significance difference between and after medication.; Summary

The Relationship between the Cause of Death and Life Expectancy by FEV in Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis.: Yong Hee Cheon, Kyung Yong Koh; Korean J Prev Med. 1989;22(1):25-28.

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Abstract PDF: Sixty-two medical records of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis who died in hospital as coal workers' pneumoconiosis were analyzed for study of the relationship between forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) and life expectancy in coal workers' pneumoconiosis. In the group who died of asphyxia from hemoptysis, life expectancy were well fitted with FEV1 (p<0.05). But others were not well fitted to simple linear regression equation. The prevalence of ECG sign of cor pulmonale was more in the group of cardiorespiratory failure than asphyxia group. So, in the case of far advanced cor pulmonale, it was difficult to predict life expectancy by simple linear regression equation.; Summary

Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second and ECG Sign of Cor Pulmonale in Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis .: Yong Hee Cheon; Korean J Prev Med. 1988;21(2):267-270.

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Abstract PDF: The medical record of ECG and pulmonary function test of 297 cases who were dead at hospital or admitted as coal workers' pneumonociosis were used for the study of the relationship between forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1.0) and ECG sign of pulmonale. The incidence of T wave inversion in V1 lead was significantly increased as FEV1.0 decrease. The incidence of T wave inversion in V1 lead was over the half in the group of FEV1.0 less than 0.7 liter.; Summary

Coal Miners' Recognition and Attitude toward Pneumoconiosis in Kangneung Area.: Ho Keun Chung, Kyung Yong Rhee; Korean J Prev Med. 1988;21(2):251-266.

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Abstract PDF: This study was planned in order to investigate coal miners' recognition and attitude toward pneumoconiosis, and its relationship with related behavior for prevention of pneumoconiosis. Study object was coal miners in Kangneung area, sampled by multistage random proportional sampling, Sample size was 13% of total coal miners in Kangneung area. The results were divided into three parts: (1) descriptive results presented percent distribution, (2) reclassification of knowledge, experiences, and attitude by factor analysis, (3) prediction of health behavior for prevention of pneumoconiosis by discriminant analysis. Knowledge, experiences, and attitude toward pneumoconiosis were classified into nine factors. Knowledge about pneumoconiosis were broken down to two factors and attitude to four factors, and valence, perceived severity were classified into each one factor. According to demographic, socioeconomic characteristics, and factors of knowledge, experiences, attitude about pneumoconiosis, about 62% of behavior of wearing respiratory protector was correctly discriminated. And by the same methods, about 81% of behavior of hospital visit at respiratory symptoms; cough, sputum, chest pain etc. was discriminated correctly.; Summary

Change of FVC, FEV1 after Discontinuance of Bronchodilator in Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Patients.: Yong Hee Cheon; Korean J Prev Med. 1988;21(2):245-250.

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Abstract PDF: For the evaluation of change of FVC and FEV1 after discontinuance of bronchodilator in the coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients, 17 pairs of patients were selected. They were matched by the age(+/-5 y.o.) and the type of ventilatory impairment. Pulmonary function was measured 2 times bimonthly before and after the drug discontinuance discontinued after measurement of PFT for 2 times. In case group the bronchodilator was discontinued after measurement of PFT for 2 times. In control group there was no interruption of medication. FVC, FEV1 decreased in both group as measurement progress. Simple linear regression coefficients against the month of measurement were calculated in both group and tested for parallelism between two groups. The results of test revealed that both regression coefficients were parallel. So in conclusively, discontinuance of medication of bronchodilator for coal workers pneumoconiosis patients has no effect on the decreasing rate of FVC, FEV1.; Summary

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