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.