Assessment of radiation exposure from cesium-137 contaminated roads for epidemiological studies in Seoul, Korea.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 ((137)Cs) in Seoul.

Methods: Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the (137)Cs contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person.

Results: Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv.

Metabolic syndrome in carbon disulfide-poisoned subjects in Korea: does chemical poisoning induce metabolic syndrome?

Objective: Mass carbon disulfide (CS(2)) poisoning was reported at a viscose rayon factory in Korea. We evaluated the association between CS(2) poisoning and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: The cases (n = 170) involved CS(2)-poisoned subjects, who participated in a health examination conducted at a hospital in Korea in 2005.

Assessment of vibration produced by the grinders used in the shipbuilding industry of Korea.

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of finger blanching among the workers in a shipyard of Korea using the dose-response relationship suggested by ISO 5349. The characteristics of vibration exposure produced by six types of grinders were investigated. Vibration measurement was made under the real work conditions.

Heart-rate variability of carbon disulfide-poisoned subjects in Korea.

Objectives: Mass poisoning by carbon disulfide (CS(2)) occurred in a viscose-rayon factory in Korea. Including 38 who had died, 830 employees were diagnosed as CS(2) poisoned. We evaluated the heart-rate variability (HRV) among CS(2)-poisoned subjects, to discover whether CS(2) may affect HRV and whether its toxic effect persists after exposure has ceased.

Brain MRI findings of carbon disulfide poisoning.

Objective: To evaluate the findings of brain MRI in patients with carbon disulfide poisoning.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one patients who had suffered carbon disulfide poisoning [male:female=87:4; age, 32-74 (mean 53.3) years] were included in this study.