Remodeling of the occupational medical examination program in South Korea

Park, J.; Kim, Y.; Kim, K.-S.

doi:10.1007/s004200050394

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The Korea National Occupational Health Surveillance (KNOHS), also known as Korean Occupational Medical Examination Program [39], is a nationwide annual surveillance program designed to monitor problematic industries and their workers, including work-related hearing loss. The program includes audiometric testing, industrial-based noise measurement, and assessment of exposure to ototoxic chemicals (e.g., organic solvents and heavy metals).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Choi

Kim

2014

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundNoise exposure is a well-known contributor to work-related hearing loss. Recent biological evidence suggests that exposure to ototoxic chemicals such as organic solvents and heavy metals may be additional contributors to hearing loss. However, in industrial settings, it is difficult to determine the risks of hearing loss due to these chemicals in workplaces accompanied by excessive noise exposure. A few studies suggest that the effect of noise may be enhanced by ototoxic chemicals. Therefore, this study investigated whether co-exposure to organic solvents and/or heavy metals in the workplace modifies the risk of noise exposure on hearing loss in a background of excessive noise.MethodsWe examined 30,072 workers nationwide in a wide range of industries from the Korea National Occupational Health Surveillance 2009. Data on industry-based exposure (e.g., occupational noise, heavy metals, and organic solvents) and subject-specific health outcomes (e.g., audiometric examination) were collected. Noise was measured as the daily 8-h time-weighted average level. Air conduction hearing thresholds were measured from 0.5 to 6 kHz, and pure-tone averages (PTA) (i.e., means of 2, 3, and 4 kHz) were computed.ResultsIn the multivariate linear model, PTA increment with occupational noise were 1.64-fold and 2.15-fold higher in individuals exposed to heavy metals and organic solvents than in unexposed individuals, respectively.ConclusionThis study provides nationwide evidence that co-exposure to heavy metals and/or organic solvents may exacerbate the effect of noise exposure on hearing loss in workplaces. These findings suggest that workers in industries dealing with heavy metals or organic solvents are susceptible to such risks.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Choi

Kim

2014

PLoS ONE

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“…In 1981, the Labor Agency was promoted to the Ministry of Labor to cope with the issues of industrial safety and health in addition to labor-related social issues [18]. In the same year, the Ministry enacted the Industrial Safety and Health Law, which was separate from the Labor Standards Law.…”

Section: S: Period Of Rationalization and Liberalization And Perimentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Health Management in the Lead Industry: The Korean Experience

Lee

2011

Safety and Health at Work

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In 1967, the problem of occupational lead exposure came to public attention in Korea. Since then, regular progress has been made in lowering workplace lead exposures, instituting new workplace controls, and implementing health examinations of exposed workers. Past serious lead poisoning episodes made it possible to introduce biological monitoring programs on a voluntary basis in high-lead-exposure facilities in Korea. Industry-specific occupational health services for lead workers in Korea during the last 22 years can be categorized into three phases. During the first phase (1988-1993), efforts were directed at increasing awareness among workers about the hazards of lead exposure, biological monitoring of blood zinc protoporphyrin began, and a respiratory protection program was introduced. During the second phase (1994-1997), a computerized health management system for lead workers was developed, blood-lead measurement was added to biologic monitoring, and engineering controls were introduced in the workplace to lower air-lead levels to comply with air-lead regulations. Finally, during the third phase (1998-present), a new biomarker, bone-lead measurement by X-ray fluorescence, was introduced. Bone-lead measurement proved to be useful for assessing body burden and to demonstrate past lead exposure in retired workers. Occupational health service practice for lead workers, including the industry-specific group occupational health system, has brought considerable success in the prevention of lead poisoning and in reducing the lead burden in Korean lead workers during the last several decades. The successful achievement of prevention of lead poisoning in Korea was a result of the combined efforts of lead workers, employers, relevant government agencies, and academic institutes.

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“…A pre-employment medical examination is conducted to determine the employability of a worker at the time of recruitment, while a pre-placement medical examination is conducted to determine task suitability, after the worker has been employed [Park et al, 1999]. Both assess the physical capabilities of the worker in relation to the job requirement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%