J Korean Med Sci.
2023 Aug;38(34):e271. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e271.
Evaluation of Temporal Trends of Lead Exposure in Korean Workers Using Workplace Monitoring Data
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, International St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea
- 2Graduate School of Public Health and Healthcare Management, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- 3Catholic Institute for Public Health and Healthcare Management, Seoul, Korea
- 4Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
- 5Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Korea
- 6Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
- 7Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
- 8Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 9Hansung Health and Safety Technology Co., Ltd., Daejeon, Korea
- 10Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2545547
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e271
Abstract
- Background
Lead, which is widely used in various industrial settings, is a major health hazard for manufacturing workers. Therefore, control of lead exposure has been implemented in an effort to prevent lead-related health problems. In this study, our aim was to evaluate temporal trends in occupational lead exposure in Korean lead workers using data from monitoring of workplace exposure.
Methods
A nationwide work environment monitoring database, data from a work environment monitoring institution, and data extracted from a review paper were utilized. Different versions of standard industrial classification codes were aligned with the 10th Korean Standard Industrial Classification, which is generally consistent with the 4th revision of the International Standard Industrial Classification. The multiple data sources were combined and temporal trends over the period from 1994–2021 were estimated. In addition, separate estimation of temporal trends in the storage battery manufacturing industry over the period from 1987–2021 was also performed.
Results
A total of 444,296 personal airborne lead measurements were used for the estimation process. The temporal trends in occupational exposure to lead declined by −6% annually over the study period. In particular, levels of lead exposure in the storage battery manufacturing industry showed a steeper decline of −12% annually.
Conclusions
Findings of our study showed that occupational exposure to lead declined over the period from 1994 to 2021 in Korea. However, adverse effects of exposure to lead on health should be regarded with caution. The results will be useful in conduct of epidemiological studies examining lead-related effects on health.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Occupational Health Management in the Lead Industry: The Korean Experience
- Trends in Occupational Skin Disease among Korean Workers (2006— 2017): Insights Into Declining Prevalence and Demographic Shifts
- A Study on the Influences of Lead Exposure on the Blood Pressure Level in Industrial Workers
- A study on lead exposure indices of male workers exposed to lead less than 1 year in storage battery industries
- Hemoglobin Concentration in Female Workers of Occupational Exposure to Lead
