Occupational Reproductive Function Abnormalities and Bladder Cancer in Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review occupational reproductive abnormalities and occupational bladder cancer in Korea and to discuss their toxicological implications. Reproductive dysfunction as a result of 2-bromopropane poisoning was first reported in Korean workers. In 1995, 23 of the 33 workers (25 female and 8 male workers) who were exposed to 2-bromopropane during the assembly of tactile switch parts developed reproductive and/or hematopoietic disorders. A total of 17 (68%) workers were diagnosed with ovarian failure. Two of the eight male workers experienced azoospermia and four workers experienced some degree of oligospermia or reduced sperm motility. In summary, 2-bromopropane poisoning caused severe reproductive effects in Korean workers. The prognosis was poor for reproductive dysfunction. A few cases of occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea, whereas other cancers of the urinary tract have not been reported after occupational exposure. A few cases of benzidine-induced cancer have been reported in Korea and 592 workers in Japan have received compensation for benzidine and β-naphthylamine-induced cancer. In conclusion, a few cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea. However, benzidine-induced bladder cancer will likely be an important occupational health issue in Korea in the coming years.

Xenobiotic Effects on Ovarian Preantral Follicles1

“…Because of the detrimental effects on the ozone layer caused by chlorofluorocarbons and the ban on their use, 1-BP and 2-BP were previously used in Asia as substitute propellants and cleaning solvents [146]. In the mid 1990s, an occupational health manager reported that a cluster of women performing small-sized tactile switch assembly in an electronics factory in South Korea were experiencing amenorrhea [147,148]. 2-BP had been introduced into the electronics plant in early 1994 as a substitute solvent for chlorofluorocarbons.…”

Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Triptolide and Cisplatin in Cisplatin Resistant Human Bladder Cancer Cells

“…1 At diagnosis approximately 70% of cancers are nonmuscle invasive tumors and the remaining 30% are muscle invasive. 2 About 10% of the patients diagnosed with these muscle invasive tumors have metastatic disease with a poor prognosis.…”

Benzidine promotes the stemness of bladder cancer stem cells via activation of the Sonic hedgehog pathway

“…Brown et al ( 13 ) reported an increased risk of bladder cancer among individuals exposed to benzidine. Furthermore, Park et al ( 14 ) reported a number of cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer in Korea. However, although there are numerous reports on the risk of bladder cancer associated with benzidine exposure, there is paucity of data regarding the effect of benzidine on BCSCs, and the mechanism underlying the promoting role of benzidine in BCSCs remains elusive.…”