A Case Study of a Foundry Worker with Localized Asbestosis: an Uncommon Occurrence in Korea

Kim, Tae Woo; Koh, Dong Hee; Kim, Min Gi; Yoo, Seung Won; Ryu, Hyang Woo; Han, Jeong Hee; Jung, Soon Hee

doi:10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.2.201

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…According to the co-workers of the patients, they used a cover suspected to have been made out of asbestos to cover the furnaces. Though the authors could not identify any asbestos-related materials, the possibility of asbestos exposure cannot be fully excluded because there are reports of asbestosis, asbestos-related radiologic changes, and an increased SMR for mesothelioma in foundry workers [ 14 - 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two Cases of Lung Cancer in Foundry Workers

Jeong

Ryu

Kim

et al. 2013

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

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BackgroundIron and steel foundry workers are exposed to various toxic and carcinogenic substances including crystalline silica, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and arsenic. Studies have been conducted on lung cancer in iron and steel founding workers and the concentration of crystalline silica in foundries; however, the concentration of crystalline silica and cases of lung cancer in a single foundry has never been reported in Korea. Therefore, the authors report two cases of lung cancer and concentration of crystalline silica by the X-ray diffraction method.Case presentationA 55-year-old blasting and grinding worker who worked in a foundry for 33 years was diagnosed with lung cancer. Another 64-year-old forklift driver who worked in foundries for 39 years was also diagnosed with lung cancer. Shot blast operatives were exposed to the highest level of respirable quartz (0.412 mg/m3), and a forklift driver was exposed to 0.223 mg/m3.ConclusionsThe lung cancer of the two workers is very likely due to occupationally related exposure given their occupational history, the level of exposure to crystalline silica, and epidemiologic evidence. Further studies on the concentration of crystalline silica in foundries and techniques to reduce the crystalline silica concentration are required.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%