Korean J Occup Environ Med.
2010 Jun;22(2):140-145.
Clusters of Pneumoconiosis among Residents Near Cement Factories
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Korea. ekeeper@inha.ac.kr
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Korea.
- 3Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kosin University Hospital, Korea.
- 4Department of Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated case clusters of pneumoconiosis among residents near cement factories in Young_Wol, Korea.
METHODS
There were 1,396 residents of a total 3,418 residents surveyed for this study. Informations on demographics, health-related behaviors (smoking and drinking), past medical history, and clinical symptoms were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. All study participants underwent a physical examination, including chest X-ray, and physicians' interview. Chest CT (computerized tomography) was taken if there was abnormal finding on chest X-ray and physicians' interview.
RESULTS
We detected 5 cases of pneumoconiosis. 2 cases were related to occupational exposure to dust, such as underground mining and the breaking up of concrete. However, 3 cases were not related to occupational or environmental exposure, except that persons were living near cement factories and limestone mines.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that the long-term exposure of cement dust among residents near cement factories and mines may lead to the development of pneumoconiosis.
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