Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2011 Sep;23(3):287-297.

Relationship between Workplace Physical and Chemical Hazard Exposures and Mental Health Problems in Korea

• Joh KO
• Park TJ
• Oh JI
• Paek DM
• Park JS
• Cho SI

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Mental health and work efficiency are adversely affected by exposure to physical and chemical hazards in the workplace. This study is the first large scale evaluation of the relationship between physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace in relation to the mental health of Korean workers.
METHODS
A national survey of a random sample of workers (n=10,043) was conducted between June and September 2006 in Korea. Physical and chemical hazards in the workplace were considered if exposure occurred over more than a quarter of the time spent at work. Mental health problems were defined as work-related depression, anxiety or insomnia. We analyzed whether physical and chemical hazards were independent risk factors for work-related mental health problems by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, gender, employment type, education, occupation, duty schedule, work hours, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
RESULTS
The mean age of surveyed workers was 42 years and 58% were male. A total of 7.8% of workers had work-related mental health problems. Exposure to high temperature, mist, fumes, dust, chemicals, and radiation were associated with an increased risk of work-related mental health problems.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reaffirmed that physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace significantly elevates the risk of work-related mental health problems.

Keyword

Mental health; Hazard; Radioactive; Chemical; Heat; Vibration

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Appointments and Schedules
Depression
Dust
Employment
Hot Temperature
Humans
Korea
Logistic Models
Male
Mental Health
Occupations
Risk Factors
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Smoke
Smoking
Vibration
Dust
Smoke