J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Dec;25(Suppl):S70-S76. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S70.

Ionizing Radiation-induced Diseases in Korea

• Jin YW
• Jeong M
• Moon K
• Jo MH
• Kang SK

• KMID: 1714070
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S70

Abstract

Radiation risk has become well known through epidemiological studies of clinically or occupationally exposed populations, animal experiments, and in vitro studies; however, the study of radiation related or induced disease has been limited in Korea. This study is to find the level of occupational radiation exposure for various kinds of accidents, compensated occupational diseases, related studies, and estimations on future occupational disease risks. Research data of related institutions were additionally investigated. About 67% of 62,553 radiation workers had no exposure or less than 1.2 mSv per year. The 5 reported cases on radiation accident patients in Korea occurred during nondestructive testing. According to the recent rapid increase in the number of workers exposed to radiation, a higher social recognition of cancer, and an increasing cancer mortality rate, it is expected that occupational disease compensation will rapidly increase as well. Therefore, it is important to develop scientific and objective decision methods, such as probability of causation and screening dose in the establishment of an exposure and health surveillance system.

Keyword

Radiation; Occupational Exposure; Nuclear Power Plants; Occupational Diseases

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Male
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/*epidemiology
Nuclear Power Plants
Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology
Occupational Exposure
Radiation Injuries/*epidemiology
*Radiation, Ionizing
Radioactive Hazard Release/*statistics & numerical data
Republic of Korea/epidemiology

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