Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Heart Rate Variability Analysis in Workers Exposed to Methyl Bromide as a Quarantine Treatment
Jungmi Choi1, Young-Seoub Hong, Wonseok Cha
1Human 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.
