| Title | Heart Rate Variability Analysis in Workers Exposed to Methyl Bromide as a Quarantine Treatment. | ||
| Author | Choi, Jungmi; Hong, Young-Seoub; Cha, Wonseok; Mo, Hyoung-Ho; Park, Min-Goo | ||
| Journal | J Occup Environ Med | Publication Year/Month | 2021-Jan |
| PMID | 33177473 | PMCID | PMC7773168 |
| Affiliation | 1.Human Anti-Aging Standards Research Institute, Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea (Dr Choi, Mr Cha); Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea (Dr Hong); Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea (Dr Hong); Department of Plant Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea (Dr Mo, Mr Park); Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea (Mr Park). | ||
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether methyl bromide (MB) fumigation work for plants imported in Korea affects workers\' health by assessing heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: We measured HRV indices (TP, VLF, LF, HF, HR, SDNN, pNN50 and HRV-index) and urinary bromide ion (Br-) in 62 fumigators (study group) and 34 inspectors (the control group) before and after fumigation work. In addition, the relationship between Br- concentration and HRV indices was analysed. RESULTS: The fumigators\' post-work HRV indices and Br- level were changed compared with their pre-work values (P < 0.001). Conversely, inspectors\' values were not shown a difference before and after work. The HRV indices in all subjects were negatively correlated with the Br- levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fumigators with high Br- concentrations and low post-work HRV indices following MB fumigation work experienced adverse effects on their autonomic nervous systems.