허베이스피릿호 유류유출사고 방제작업참여주민의 신경학적 이상과 우울증상

• 영문명: Hebei Spirit oil spill exposure and acute neuropsychiatric effects on residents participating in clean-up work
• 발행기관: 한국역학회
• 저자명: 엄진희 정해관 하미나 권호장 하은희 홍윤철 최예용 정우철 허종일 이승민 김은정 이은희 이안소영 김종헌
• 간행물 정보: 『한국역학회지』韓國疫學會誌 第30卷 第2號, 239~251쪽, 전체 13쪽
• 주제분류: 의약학 > 면역학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2008.12.31

영문 초록

Objectives: Hebei Spirit oil spill accident has brought about the worst coastal oil contamination in Korean history. Following the accident, residents and volunteers, number exceeding a million from nationwide, were exposed to chemicals from the crude oil itself and dispersants, including volatility organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals through the clean-up works over months. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of clean-up work on the peripheral nerve function and psychologic status of the residents after a prolonged exposure to clean-up work after the oil spill exposure. Methods: We performed a study on the residents of Jango-do Island, Chungnam, on 5 and 12 January 2008, six to eight weeks after the accident. A questionnaire on general characteristics, Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI), color vision test (Lanthony desaturated D-15 test), and vibration perception threshold test were done. Among 210 residents with 30 years or older, 63 (30%) finished questionnaires and completed at least one among K-BDI, color vision test, or vibration perception threshold test. Descriptive statistics was done on the residents. Results: The residents participated in clean-up work for average 20 days, max 30 days, during 6 weeks following the accident. Average work hours were 7.4 hours per day, max 10 hours. On K-BDI, 21 (33.3%) had a severe depressive state. Mean color confusion index was 1.29 in the right and 1.20 in the left. Mean vibration perception threshold was 3.69 VU (right) and 3.55 VU (left), respectively. Discussions and Conclusions: Compared to literature report, the residents had higher depression scale. Color vision threshold was not higher compared to general population near an industrial complex. Vibration perception threshold was significantly higher than the residents of similar age living near an abandoned mine in southern coastal area only in the age group of forties. These suggests there is some evidence of neuropsychiatric effect related to oil cleaning work and a mid- and long-term study of the oil exposure health effects with continuous monitoring should be done for the exposed residents in the affected area.

키워드

Disasters Environmental hazards Depression Color vision Sensation disorders