Annals of occupational and environmental medicine
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Ann Occup Environ Med · Jan 2020
Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic: onsite mass workplace testing for COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing tremendous damage globally. The Republic of Korea (ROK), a highly export-dependent nation, is a leader in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and coping well with the disaster. Like the drive-through COVID-19 testing, which reflects the brilliant flexibility of the Korean medical system, onsite mass workplace testing for COVID-19, which our hospital has been performing over the past few months, is a unique and valuable countermeasure. We believe it is time that the current health examination system for workers in the ROK considered the risk of transmissible diseases.
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Ann Occup Environ Med · Jan 2020
Association between employment status and sickness presenteeism among Korean employees: a cross-sectional study.
Sickness presenteeism (SP) indicates "going to work while being ill." The importance of SP has only recently been investigated, and the association between SP and employment status has been inconsistent across studies. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the association between SP and employment status by using presenteeism propensity (PP), which can reflect the individual decision-making process. ⋯ Employment status was associated with SP. Given the negative health impact of SP, social efforts, such as paid sick leave, are required to reduce SP and enhance the health status of unstable workers.
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Ann Occup Environ Med · Jan 2015
Carbon monoxide poisoning-induced cardiomyopathy from charcoal at a barbecue restaurant: a case report.
Acute carbon monoxide poisoning has important clinical value because it can cause severe adverse cardiovascular effects and sudden death. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning due to charcoal is well reported worldwide, and increased use of charcoal in the restaurant industry raises concern for an increase in occupational health problems. We present a case of carbon monoxide poisoning induced cardiomyopathy in a 47-year-old restaurant worker. ⋯ Severe exposure to carbon monoxide was evident in the patient because of high carboxyhemoglobin concentration and highly elevated cardiac enzymes. We concluded that this exposure led to subsequent cardiac injury. He was diagnosed with acute carbon monoxide poisoning-induced cardiomyopathy due to an unsafe working environment. According to the results, the risk of exposure to noxious chemicals such as carbon monoxide by workers in the food service industry is potentially high, and workers in this sector should be educated and monitored by the occupational health service to prevent adverse effects.
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Ann Occup Environ Med · Jan 2014
Case ReportsA case of obstructive sleep apnea and assessments of fitness for work.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and impairment of cognition. These symptoms may lead to the occurrence of occupational accidents in workers with obstructive sleep apnea. ⋯ Proper screening for obstructive sleep apnea among workers is important for preventing workplace accidents caused by this disorder, but screening guidelines have not yet been established in Korea. An effort toward preparing practical guidelines for obstructive sleep apnea is needed.
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Ann Occup Environ Med · Oct 2013
Subclinical interstitial lung damage in workers exposed to indium compounds.
The present study was designed to determine whether there is a relationship between indium compound exposure and interstitial lung damage in workers employed at indium tin oxide manufacturing and reclaiming factories in Korea. ⋯ Our findings suggest that interstitial lung changes could be present in workers with indium exposure. Further studies are required and health risk information regarding indium exposure should be communicated to workers and employers in industries where indium compounds are used to prevent indium induced lung damage in Korea.