Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and myopia prevalence in adults: analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-Air Pollution Linked Data, 2020.","authors":"Minju Jung, Hyungdoo Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Dong-Jae Seo, Jong-Han Leem, Shin-Goo Park, Dong-Wook Lee, Hwan-Cheol Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) causes various health problems. Recent studies suggest that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may have a negative impact on vision. This study examined the effects of long-term exposure to concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding Korean standards on myopia prevalence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted on adults aged 40-69 years. The PM2.5 concentrations were calculated as the 1-5-year moving averages based on the participants' residential areas. The relationships between the PM2.5 levels, categorized by the annual average concentration standard in Korea, and the prevalence of myopia were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The results were evaluated using the 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PM2.5 concentrations averaged over 1-3 years were not significantly associated with the prevalence of myopia. On the other hand, the prevalence of myopia was significantly higher in areas where the 4-5-year moving average PM2.5 levels exceeded the Korean standards. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may have a detrimental effect on vision.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study revealed the impact of long-term PM2.5 exposure on the prevalence of myopia, highlighting the importance of managing PM2.5 levels. Nevertheless, further cohort studies focusing on adults and in-depth research into the effects of long-term exposure will be necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational disease issues in high-tech industries of South Korea: analysis of governmental data on the semiconductor and display industries.","authors":"Chungsik Yoon, Jinjoo Chung, Jongran Lee, Kwonchul Ha, Joseph DiGangi, Jeong-Ok Kong","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study analyzed occupational diseases compensated through the government system in the Korean electronics industry and observed changes in the rationale for compensation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) from 2012 to 2023 were analyzed to examine occupational disease issues in South Korea's semiconductor and display industries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>KWCWS received 174 occupational disease claims between 2012 and 2023, with 88 (50.6%) approved. The case of a 22-year-old semiconductor worker who died from leukemia has raised awareness and appears to be leading to more claims and higher approval rates. Cancer-related claims, particularly for breast and blood cancers, were the most common. Since 2018, the approval rate for occupational diseases has increased to 60%, which may have been influenced by the Supreme Court's Principle of Presumption of Occupational Diseases and the government's reduction of the burden of proof. However, approval rates remain lower in small- and medium-sized enterprises (38.0%) compared to large corporations (55.6%), likely because of better documentation and unionization in the latter. The semiconductor industry had more claims and approvals than the LCD industry, primarily due to its longer operational history and greater chemical exposure.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In South Korea, the increasing approval rate of occupational diseases in the electronics industry from 2012 to 2023 appears to reflect changes in how causal relationships and occupational health policies have been implemented and this is likely due to stakeholder involvement and relevant legal decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges in diagnosing occupational allergic contact dermatitis: a case report.","authors":"Jun Fai Yap, Kim Sui Wan, Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff, Yin Cheng Lim, Rama Krishna Supramanian","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Malaysia, occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is often under-reported. This case report describes a chemical engineer who developed possible ACD, likely due to workplace allergen exposure.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>He presented with a 4-month history of intensely itchy rashes on both hands, which improved during work breaks. A dermatological examination revealed lichenified, pruritic papules with well-defined borders on the palmar surfaces of both hands. A skin patch test identified reactions to five allergens, including 'fragrance mix,' 'methyldibromo glutaronitrile,' 'clioquinol,' 'epoxy resin,' and 'textile dye mix.' However, among these, only 'bisphenol A diglycidyl ether,' a component of 'epoxy resin,' was listed in the safety data sheet as a confirmed occupational exposure. In accordance with local regulations, this case was reported as 'occupational dermatitis' to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. The patient was prescribed symptomatic topical treatments, including emollients and topical corticosteroids. Additionally, he was advised to switch to hypoallergenic products. On follow-up, his chronic inflammatory skin lesions showed improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Thorough occupational history-taking and patch testing are essential for diagnosing ACD. Personalized health education and regular follow-ups, is crucial in monitoring lesion resolution and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive measures in workplace settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perspectives from the new president of the Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: future strategies for occupational and environmental medicine.","authors":"Sang Baek Ko","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e1","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Modern Korean society is experiencing fundamental transformations in industrial structures and working environments driven by complex factors, including demographic shifts, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and digital transformation. The evolving dynamics between the manufacturing and service industries, the emergence of technology-driven sectors, and the proliferation of new occupational categories are reshaping traditional employment models. This has directed the labor market toward nonstandard employment forms, including temporary, contract-based, and platform labor. Consequently, issues such as employment instability and reduced accessibility to workplace health programs, including occupational safety training, health examinations, and workplace health management, have become increasingly prominent. Although occupational and environmental medicine has subsequently gained significance, the current occupational health and safety framework inadequately addresses the nuances of emerging labor forms. Legal gaps persist, leaving vulnerable groups such as nonregular workers, platform laborers, and older workers insufficiently protected under existing systems. Furthermore, systemic issues are evident in the inadequate follow-up care during occupational health examinations, lacking continued adherence to hazard-centric approaches, and insufficient attention to chronic diseases and mental health challenges. This study proposes strategies that occupational and environmental medicine can address these issues. First, legal and institutional reforms must encompass new labor forms, accompanied by modernized safety and health guidelines. Second, state-of-the-art technologies should be leveraged to enhance predictive disease management and personalized healthcare for workers. Third, a preventive approach integrating chronic disease management, mental healthcare, and psychosocial risk factors must be established. Fourth, fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration across medicine, engineering, and psychology is essential for developing practical solutions to emerging challenges. In conclusion, occupational and environmental medicine in Korea must adapt to effectively address the evolving labor landscape. Through systematic innovation, integrated health-management approaches, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary cooperation, the health and safety of all workers in the rapidly changing world can be ensured.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e1"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"List of occupational diseases among farmers in Korea: a literature review.","authors":"Hansoo Song, Seok-Ju Yoo, Won-Ju Park, Seunghyeon Cho, Ki Soo Park, Joo Hyun Sung, Sang Jin Park, Seong-Yong Yoon, Kyeongsoo Kim, Dong-Phil Choi, Hye-Min Kim, Bounggyun Ju, Kanwoo Youn","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e2","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A comprehensive list of occupational diseases among farmers is crucial for both compensation and prevention efforts. In Korea, most farmers are self-employed, and some occupational diseases are compensated through farmer safety insurance. However, it is not harmonized with industrial accident compensation insurance and does not adequately reflect the true burden of occupational diseases among farmers. To address this gap, the authors compiled a list of occupational diseases tailored to Korean farmers by reviewing the International Labor Organization's list of occupational diseases, the Korean Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance List, the occupational disease lists of other countries, and relevant literature on farmers' work-related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849992/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Data profile: Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS).","authors":"Seong-Sik Cho, Jeehee Min, Heejoo Ko, Mo-Yeol Kang","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e3","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS) was launched in 2022 as a longitudinal panel study to examine the interactions between work conditions, sleep health, and labour market performance among the Korean workforce. Baseline data were collected from 5,517 participants aged 19 to 70, encompassing diverse occupations. Follow-up surveys occur biannually, accommodating seasonal variations in sleep and health dynamics. To ensure stability, refreshment samples were integrated in later waves, maintaining a cohort size of 5,783 participants in wave 5. Key data include socio-demographics, employment characteristics, sleep patterns, health outcomes, and workplace performance. Early findings highlight critical associations, such as the adverse effects of occupational physical activity on productivity, the impact of emotional labour on health-related productivity loss, and the significance of sleep disruptions on mental health. The cohort's design enables detailed analyses of longitudinal and cross-sectional trends, offering insights into how changing work environments influence health and productivity. The KWSHS could serve as a vital resource for evidence-based interventions aimed at improving occupational health and productivity in Korea's evolving labour landscape. Data access is available through the study's principal investigator upon request.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of weight and dietary habits with high blood mercury levels in Korean adolescents: data from the KoNEHS cycle 4, 2018-2020.","authors":"Ji Hoon Kim, Minju Jung, Jaewon Mun, Dong-Jae Seo, Jong-Han Leem, Shin-Goo Park, Dong-Wook Lee, Hyung Doo Kim, Hwan-Cheol Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e5","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018-2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13-18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015-0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077-0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043-0.250).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Commuting time and musculoskeletal pain in the relationship with working time: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Hoje Ryu, Seong-Sik Cho, Jung Il Kim, Sun-Haeng Choi, Nathan Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e4","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Commuting is essential for working life; however, prolonged travel times can negatively affect health, particularly musculoskeletal pain. This study aims to examine the relationship between commuting time and musculoskeletal pain (back, upper extremity, and lower extremity pain), in the context of working time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used data from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey conducted in Korea between October 2020 and April 2021. Variables such as commuting time, weekly working hours, and shift work were assessed using the survey questions. Musculoskeletal pain was determined based on self-reported pains in the previous year. The covariates included demographics, employment status, ergonomic risks, and job stress. The association between commuting time and musculoskeletal pain stratified by weekly working hours or shift work was analyzed by survey-weighted logistic regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study found a significant association between longer commuting times and increased prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly back, upper extremity, and lower extremity pain. When commuting time was ≤60, 61-120, >120 minutes, the odds ratio was 1.00, 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.52), and 2.41 (95% CI: 1.77-3.29) for back pain; 1.00, 1.29 (95% CI: 1.13-1.46), and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.71-3.00) for upper extremity pain; and 1.00, 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05-1.45), and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.13-2.08) for lower extremity pain, respectively. Furthermore, except for upper extremity pain, this trend was amplified when participants were concurrently exposed to long working hours, and for lower extremity pain, this trend was aggravated among shift workers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Long commuting time may be a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain, and its' effects could be aggravated when combined with long working hours or shift work. This study observed the detrimental impact of prolonged commuting on musculoskeletal health, particularly among employees with extended working hours or shift work.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"37 ","pages":"e4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum: Exploring the association between non-regular employment and adverse birth outcomes: an analysis of national data in Japan.","authors":"Tasuku Okui, Naoki Nakashima","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e30","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e30","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"36 ","pages":"e30"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11816348/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Video analysis of biomechanical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in loincloths female weavers Faso Dan Fani in Burkina Faso.","authors":"Amidou Sawadogo, Brigitte Nana, Brahima Ouédraogo, Abdoul Rahamane Cissé","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e29","DOIUrl":"10.35371/aoem.2024.36.e29","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The purpose of this study is to describe the kinematic characteristics of manual weaving related to the biomechanical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twelve professional female weavers participated in this study. The video recording of their workstations was performed perpendicularly in the sagittal and transverse planes in a synchronized manner, at about 2.45 m and for 5 minutes. The videos were then analyzed using the Kinove software. Statistical processing by the statistical SPSS 22 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results identified a succession of cycles, each with two important phases called the \"interlacing\" phase and the \"winding/adjustment\" phase. The average cycle time is 127.9 ± 11.7 seconds. The \"interlacing\" phase is the longest and concerns an average 80% of the cycle time or 103.5 ± 35.9 seconds. The segmental movements are mainly flexion-extension type with angular variations constantly above the acceptable limits. It is the same for the repetitiveness of the movements which solicit the upper limb and the trunk particularly.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results recommend one of the actions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders including instructions on postures and frequencies of weaving movements as well as physical exercises adapted to the physical needs of practitioners.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"36 ","pages":"e29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849990/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}