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Occupational Health 2018 Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN: 2574-2825 Page 55
May 28-29, 2018
London, UK
4th Edition of International Conference on
Occupational Health and
Safety
Exposure to sustained high concentrations of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-
trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) is known to be hepatotoxic. We
report twosimultaneous casesof toxichepatitis related toexposure
to HCFC-123, a common refrigerant, at a Korean fire extinguisher
manufacturing facility. Patients A and B were men aged 22 and
21 years, respectively, with no notable medical histories. They
had recently started working for the same manufacturer of fire
extinguishers. In the third week of their employment, they visited
the emergency center of a general hospital due to fever and general
weakness. At the time of their visit, they were suspected of having
hepatitis due to elevated levels of liver enzymes. However, as
their condition did not improve, they were transferred to a tertiary
hospital. After conservative treatment, one patient improved,
but the other died from acute hepatic failure. Assessment of the
work environment showed that the short-term exposure levels of
HCFC-123 for the valve assembly process were as high as 193.4
ppm. A transjugular liver biopsy was performed in patient B; the
results indicated drug/toxin-induced liver injury(DILI). Given the
insignificant medical history and occupational exposure to high
levels of HCFC-123, the toxic hepatitis of the two workers was
likely related to HCFC-123 exposure. HCFC-123 was not included
in the work environment assessment material prescribed in
Korea. We are the first to report a case of death related to HCFC-
123-induced liver damage. Our findings suggest that exposure
standards and limits for HCFC-123 must be developed in Korea;
work environments must be improved based on such standards.
Biography
Jihye Lee completed her Graduation from Catholic University of Korea. She
has specialisation in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from Chung-Ang
University. Later on, she started working at Occupational Safety and Health
Research Institute (OSHRI) where she has continued her research.
HCFC-123 induced toxic hepatitis and death at a Korean fire
extinguisher manufacturing facility: a case series
Jihye Lee and Mu Young Shin
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, South Korea
Jihye Lee et al., J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C2-006