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ISSN : 1738-4125(Print)
ISSN : 2287-7509(Online)
Journal of Odor and Indoor Environment Vol.3 No.3 pp.224-235
DOI :

석유화학 공장 사무실 공기질과 근로자 자각 증상과의 연관성에 관한 연구

김기연1), 김혜정2), 김현수2), 김치년2), 원종욱2), 노영만3), 노재훈2)*
1)신시내티대학교 환경보건학과, 2)연세대학교 의과대학 산업보건연구소
3)한양대학교 환경 및 산업의학연구소

Relationship Between the Air Quality in Petrochemical Plant and the Subjective Symptoms of Workers

Jaehoon Roh2)*, Kiyoun Kim1), Hyejung Kim2), Hyunsoo Kim2), Chinyon Kim2), Jonguk Won2), Youngman Roh3)
2)Institute for Occupational Health, College of medicine, Yonsei University
1)Center for Health Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, Univ. of Cincinnati
3)Institute of Environmental and Industrial Medicine(IEM), Hanyang University
Received 22 June 2006, accepted 28 July 2006

Abstract

This research was performed with the subject of 111 offices in a chemical plant of Korea. Airborneconcentration level of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and total suspended particulates inthe office rooms were measured along with temperature and relative humidity. Simultaneously, generalcharacteristics and subjective health symptoms of 500 office workers were investigated through aquestionnaire consisting of the five point weighting method : 0 = not at all, 1 = a little bit, 2 = moderately,3 = quite a bit and 4 = extremely. Results showed that the mean values for temperature and relativehumidity in investigated office rooms were 22.2℃ and 34.3%, respectively. The concentrations offormaldehyde, PM10, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were 0.17 ppb, 28.8 ㎍/㎥, 0.95 ppm and 424 ppm,respectively. 56.4% of all the workers investigated replied with a sense of fatigue or weariness (mean=2.23),drowsiness or languidness (mean=2.22), sneezing (mean=2.11) and ophthalmia oreye fatigue (mean=2.07).Female workers, non-smokers, non-drinkers, workers who do shift more than nine hours a day, and workersin poor health experienced more subjective symptoms than other workers (p<0.05). Subjective symptoms ofoffice workers were significantly associated with the following items of office characteristics: the purchasedate of office equipment, the change of office furniture, the use of paint, smoking in the office, ventilationcondition, the use of an individual air-conditioner, the use of a fax machine, the degree of office repair, theproportion of workers per office, the degree of satisfaction in office environment, and the operation hoursof the air-conditioner. Also, subjective symptoms were positively correlated with indoor environmentalfactors such as relative humidity, carbon dioxide level, level of PM10, and formaldehyde (p<0.05). Inconclusion, office characteristics and air quality in a chemical plant affected subjective health symptoms ofoffice workers. Thus, in order to improve the health of workers, to enhance work efficiency, and to establisha better office environment, air quality control in office rooms by optimal ventilation, adequately occupiednumber of workers in one office, and maintenance of office equipment should be fulfilled thoroughly.keywords:Air quality, Subjective health symptom, Formaldehyde, PM10, Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide

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