Association between physical hazardous agent exposure and mental health in the Korean working population: the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey

Daeil Kwon,Kyeongmin Kwak,Kiook Baek,Youngchan Chi,Sewhan Na,Jong-Tae Park 대한직업환경의학회 2021 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.33 No.6

녹차분말 첨가가 쌀밥의 항산화 활성 및 물성에 미치는 영향

양진우(Jinwoo Yang),이경민(Kyeongmin Lee),함현미(Hyeonmi Ham),곽지은(Jieun Kwak),김영화(Younghwa Kim),정헌상(Heon Sang Jeong),이준수(Junsoo Lee) 한국식품영양과학회 2017 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.46 No.6

본 연구는 소비자가 추구하는 기능성 식품의 다양한 개발을 위해 녹차를 쌀밥에 접목시킴으로써 녹차의 생리활성이 부여된 기능성 쌀밥의 개발 가능성 검토를 위해 실시하였다. 녹차분말을 첨가한 쌀밥의 항산화 활성과 생리활성 물질의 변화 및 물성 변화를 알아보기 위해 취반 시 사용되는 물에 녹차분말을 1, 2, 3%로 첨가하여 취반하였다. 이후 제조된 밥은 동결건조 후 메탄올 추출물을 이용하여 항산화 성분 및 항산화 활성을 분석하였다. 또한, 취반 후 물성을 측정하여 그 변화를 알아보았다. 취반 후 녹차분말의 함량이 증가할수록 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드의 함량이 농도 의존적으로 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 쌀밥의 항산화 활성은 첨가한 녹차분말의 농도에 의존적으로 ABTS 및 DPPH 라디칼 제거능력이 증가하는 경향을 보였으며 환원력 및 지질과산화억제 효과에서도 첨가된 녹차분말에 의존적으로 활성이 증가하였다. 반면 녹차분말을 첨가한 쌀밥의 물성을 측정한 결과 녹차를 첨가하였을 때 경도가 증가하는 경향을 보였으나 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이 연구 결과를 통해 녹차분말을 첨가하여 취반할 경우 식감을 유지하면서 녹차의 생리활성 물질도 부여할 수 있어 기능성 쌀 가공식품으로서의 적극적인 활용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다. Green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is consumed as a popular beverage worldwide, particularly in Asia. In this study, the effects of green tea powder addition on the antioxidant activities and texture properties of cooked rice were investigated. Texture analysis was carried out by texture profile analysis. Total polyphenols and total flavonoids were determined using spectrophotometric methods, and antioxidative activities were determined based on DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Antioxidant contents and antioxidative activities increased with a higher amount of green tea powder. However, there was no difference in texture properties between cooked rice with green tea powder and the control group. In conclusion, addition of green tea powder to cooked rice would be useful to increase antioxidant contents and antioxidative activities without alteration of texture properties.

Association of phthalates and early menarche in Korean adolescent girls from Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015–2017

One Park,Jong-Tae Park,Youngchan Chi,Kyeongmin Kwak 대한직업환경의학회 2021 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.33 No.2

Systematic review and meta-analysis of cancer risks in relation to environmental waste incinerator emissions: a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies

Kiook Baek,Jong-Tae Park,Kyeongmin Kwak 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

OBJECTIVES Various toxic substances can be generated from incinerators, exposing nearby residents, and epidemiological studies have shown wide variations in risk estimates for cancer risk in populations living close to incinerators. METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search and systematic review were conducted to identify studies conducted on general populations exposed to environmental incinerator emissions and cancer outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed according to the cancer types for which 2 or more studies were reported. Subgroup analysis was done for sex, the exposure estimation method, the study period, and the type of outcome. RESULTS Eleven studies were found for the qualitative review and meta-analysis. Seven studies had a case-control design, and 4 had a cohort design. The pooled effect size was not significant for breast, colorectal, liver, lung, lymphohematopoietic, stomach, bladder, central nervous system, and laryngeal cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sarcoma, leukemia, and all cancers. In the subgroup analysis, the pooled effect size of laryngeal cancer in females was 1.82 (95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 3.01), although only 2 studies were identified. CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis did not provide evidence of an increased risk for any cancer among populations living near waste incinerators, except for laryngeal cancer in females. However, since relatively few studies were reviewed and some cancer types showed significant increases in individual studies, this evidence needs to be updated regularly.

Association between depression and cardiovascular disease risk in general population of Korea: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016

Jinho Song,Tae Hwan Koh,One Park,Daeil Kwon,Seonghoon Kang,Kyeongmin Kwak,Jong-Tae Park 대한직업환경의학회 2019 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.31 No.-

Background: Depression is considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated with changes in individuals" health status that might influence CVD risk. However, most studies have scrutinized this relationship on a rather narrower and specific study population. By focusing on general population of Korea, we sought to inspect the association of depression with CVD risk and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: The data from the first year (2016) of the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Participants were classified by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score as such: normal group (PHQ-9 score 0–4), mild depression (MD) group (PHQ-9 score 5–9) and moderate and severe depression (MSD) group (PHQ-9 score 10–27). General linear model was used to analyze differences and the trend of mean CVD risk according to depression level. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated by logistic regression to identify the association between depression and cardiovascular risk factors after adjusting for age. Results: Mean CVD risk of MSD group was higher than that of normal group (p < 0.05). There was a tendency of CVD risk to increase as depression worsened (p < 0.01). Among men, MSD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–4.97), taking antihypertensive medications (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.26–4.66), increased fasting blood sugar (> 125 mg/dL; AOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.25–4.50) and taking diabetes medications (AOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.65–5.72). MD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18–2.17). Among women, MSD group was associated with high body mass index (≥ 25 kg/m²; AOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.11–2.32), large waist circumference (≥ 85 cm; AOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.12–2.37), current smoking (AOR, 5.11; 95% CI, 3.07–8.52) and taking diabetes medications (AOR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.68–4.08). MD group was associated with current smoking (AOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.18–2.93). Conclusions: We suggest that depression is associated with increased risk for CVD occurrence in general population of Korea.

Association between use of humidifier disinfectant and allergic rhinitis in Korean children: a cross-sectional study based on the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC)

Tae Hwan Koh,Jong-Tae Park,Daeil Kwon,Kyeongmin Kwak 대한직업환경의학회 2020 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.32 No.-

Background: Rhinitis was the most frequently diagnosed disorder among users of humidifier disinfectants (HDs). The aim of our study was to investigate on the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and HD uses. Methods: Our study used the data from the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children; a total of 1,540 participants were enrolled. The χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to debunk the association between AR and HD uses. Results: In our analysis, odds ratios (ORs) of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly when simply the response of whether HDs were used in the past was considered. When the brands of HD were considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR were found to be increased significantly for those who have used polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate/oligo(2-[2-ethoxy]-ethoxyethyl)guanidinium-containing HDs (model 3: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.95). However, once duration of usage was additionally considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly only for those who have used chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone-containing HDs for more than or equal to 3 months (model 3: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17–3.69). Further, past use of HD was associated with significantly increased ORs of AR diagnosed before 2013 (model 3: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02–1.79). Conclusions: Results of our study suggest that past uses of HDs may be associated with an increased risk of AR.

Association between ambient particulate matter levels and hypertension: results from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Na Sewhan,Park Jong-Tae,Kim Seungbeom,Han Jinwoo,정새미,Kwak Kyeongmin 대한직업환경의학회 2023 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.35 No.1

Background: Recently, there has been increasing worldwide concern about outdoor air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM), which has been extensively researched for its harmful effects on the respiratory system. However, sufficient research on its effects on cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, remains lacking. In this study, we examine the associations between PM levels and hypertension and hypothesize that higher PM concentrations are associated with elevated blood pressure. Methods: A total of 133,935 adults aged ≥ 40 years who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the short- (1–14 days), medium- (1 and 3 months), and long-term (1 and 2 years) impacts of PM on blood pressure. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the medium- and long-term effects of PM on blood pressure elevation after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, health-related lifestyle behaviors, and geographic areas. Results: Using multiple linear regression analyses, both crude and adjusted models generated positive estimates, indicating an association with increased blood pressure, with all results being statistically significant, with the exception of PM levels over the long-term period (1 and 2 years) in non-hypertensive participants. In the logistic regression analyses on non-hypertensive participants, moderate PM10 (particulate matter with diameters < 10 μm) and PM2.5 (particulate matter with diameters < 2.5 μm) levels over the long-term period and all high PM10 and PM2.5 levels were statistically significant after adjusting for various covariates. Notably, high PM2.5 levels of the 1 year exhibited the highest odds ratio of 1.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.28) after adjustment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both short- and long-term exposure to PM is associated with blood pressure elevation.

Association between shift work and hyperhomocysteinemia in male workers

Dukyun Kang,Seong-Kyu Kang,Won-Jun Choi,Sang Ha Lee,Jun-Hyung Lee,Kyeongmin Kwak 대한직업환경의학회 2019 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.31 No.-

Background: Shift work is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we sought to assess the relationship between shift work and plasma homocysteine levels. Determining the correlations between shift work and homocysteine levels may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This study was performed using data from routine health examinations of steel workers in 2017. In total, 431 male workers (70 daytime workers and 361 shift workers) employed on a rolling departure schedule were recruited. Plasma homocysteine levels > 15 μmol/L were considered elevated. The χ2, analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between shift work and plasma homocysteine levels. Results: In comparison to daytime workers, the odds ratio (OR) of hyperhomocysteinemia in individuals with < 10 years of shift work was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–2.03), compared to 2.01 (95% CI: 1.14–3.54) for workers with ≥ 10 years of experience. After adjusting for confounding variables, the adjusted OR for shift workers with < 10 years of experience was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.50–1.80), compared to 2.00 (95% CI: 1.07–3.74) for workers with ≥ 10 years of experience. Conclusions: The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly higher in shift workers compared to those working normal daytime hours, particularly among long-term shift workers.