Estimation of Lead Exposure Intensity by Industry Using Nationwide Exposure Databases in Korea

Development of Korean CARcinogen EXposure: Assessment of the Exposure Intensity of Carcinogens by Industry

“…In this study, we estimated the exposure intensity of 21 carcinogenic agents across 228 minor industries using a nationwide exposure measurement database using a previously tested intensity indicator for exposure intensity development [ 22 ]. The results will provide information on the exposure intensity of carcinogens as a complement to the previously developed K-CAREX [ 13 ].…”

“…In a previous study, we calculated the summary statistics of airborne lead measurements and compared them with those from blood lead data [ 22 ]. The results indicated that X95 is likely to be an optimal indicator when restricting results to industries containing ≥20 measurements.…”

“…In a previous pilot study using the WEMD, we computed summary statistics, including mean, geometric mean, and X95 values for both airborne and blood lead, and then examined optimal exposure intensity indicators by comparing airborne measurements with blood lead measurements [ 22 ]. We concluded that the mean and X95 values would be optimal exposure intensity indicators for the WEMD based on the results of rank correlation analyses.…”

“…We adopted the same scheme to assign exposure intensity (1–5 categories) to three-digit minor industries in the present study ( Table 2 ). In addition, we have added the “0” category (not rated) to the scheme for industries with <20 measurements to alleviate potential bias due to small samples because of industry code errors [ 22 ].…”

Does Exposure of Lead and Cadmium Affect the Endometriosis?

“…Each KOSHA-licensed institute and hospital might have their own limit of detection (LOD) of BLL, but the information is not available [26]. The LOD of BLL was estimated at 0.85 µg/dL [26][27][28] and all results <0.85 µg/dL or reported as "not detected" in lead exposed workers were substituted using the equation √ 1/3 × 0.85 [27]. In each cohort, members' BLLs varied from one to five, depending on how many times the worker underwent the ASME, including lead, during this period.…”