Ann Occup Environ Med.
2014 ;26(1):35-35. 10.1186/s40557-014-0035-y.
A case of multiple myeloma in a poultry worker
- Affiliations
-
- 1Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. inahkim@yuhs.ac
- 2The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Incheon Workers' Health Center, Incheon, Korea.
- 5Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Incheon, Korea.
- 6Severance Hospital, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea.
- KMID: 2153920
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0035-y
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Livestock breeders including poultry workers are exposed to various agricultural chemicals including pesticides and/or organic solvents. Multiple myeloma is a rare disease in Korea, and few reports have investigated the influence of occupational exposures on multiple myeloma occurrence.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 61-year-old male poultry farm worker presented with bone pain and generalized weakness. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, and he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The patient had worked in a poultry farm for 16 years and was exposed to various pesticides and organic solvents such as formaldehyde without any proper personal protective equipment. Results of the work reenactment revealed that the concentration of formaldehyde (17.53 ppm) greatly exceeded the time-weighted average (0.5 ppm) and short-term exposure limit (1.0 ppm) suggested in the Korean Industrial Safety and Health Act.
CONCLUSIONS
This case report suggests that poultry workers may be exposed to high levels of various hazardous chemicals including pesticides and/or organic solvents. Numerous previous studies have suggested an association between multiple myeloma and exposure to agricultural chemicals; thus, multiple myeloma in this patient might have resulted from the prolonged, high exposure to these chemicals.
