Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine

Introduction | Research Programs | Members

Major Research Programs in the Division

Despite the diversified expertise and individual research interests among the scientists in DEHOM, in accordance to national needs, several focused research areas and coordinated research programs are established:

Heavy Metal Research Program

Contaminations by heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury are long and persistent environmental problems in Taiwan. Among these, arsenic perhaps has the greatest environmental and health impact. Aside from the infamous Blackfoot Disease, cardiovascular-related diseases and cancer are alarmingly high in arseniasis areas in Taiwan. In supplemental and complemental efforts to other arsenic research programs in Taiwan, DEHOM has established two main arsenic research programs within the Division:

• 1. Arsenic impact on cardiovascular-related health
  Cardiovascular-related diseases, aside from the well known Blackfoot Disease, and diabetes are unusually high the arseniasis areas in Taiwan. Specific research programs both in epidemiology as well as with laboratory research (in-vitro model and animal research) were conducted in DEHOM to address this important issue.
• 2. Interaction of arsenic and cigarette smoke in lung cancer development
  Lung cancer rate for cigarette smokers in arseniasis area in Taiwan is almost 15 times higher than those in general population. A coordinated research program, consisted of a team of scientists in the Division, is designed to explore this health concern in Taiwan.

Female Lung Adenocarcinoma (FLAC) Research Program

Female lung adenocarcinoma (FLAC) is the leading cancer mortality in women in Taiwan. Over 90% of these women were non-smokers. Environmental factors, including cooking-oil-fumes, motor cycle exhaust particulates, environmental cigarette smoke, PAH, and dioxins (TCDD), are suspected as contributing elements in FLAC development. A special FLAC research program was sponsored by the National Genomic Medicine Research Program at NSC to address this urgent health issue in Taiwan. A team of DEHOM research scientists, together with scientists from various academic institutes, took on the responsibility and challenge on this important research. It represents a major coordinated research effort at NHRI.

POPS (PCBs and Dioxins) Research Program

Both PCBs and dioxins (TCDD) are words of fears in Taiwan. Specific research projects was established in the Division to investigate the various health impacts of these chemicals, including body-burdens of such chemicals in selected populations in Taiwan, hormonal disruption, endometriosis, lung cancer development, and developmental deficits in children.

Betel Nut Chewing / Health Research Program

Betel nut chewing is perhaps one of the most unique “social health” issues in Taiwan. Aside from oral cancer development, increasing evidence pointed out that other health impacts (e.g. digestive tract cancers, reproductive/developmental effects) are also concerning issues. A special research team is organized in DEHOM, with interactions with scientists within and outside of NHRI, to conduct vigorous research on this health concern.

Risk Assessment Research Program

The health risk assessment program at DEHOM is perhaps the newest but is becoming probably one of the most important health programs at NHRI. This Program incorporated expertise in analytical chemistry, epidemiology, toxicology, bioinformatics, biological marker research, computer modeling, and geological information science (GIS) to provide assessment of health risks on many concerning issues confronted by the government. This Program recently is active in assisting the government in assessing the situations of soil contamination (heavy metals) in Chang-Hua county, the dioxins contamination situation in An-Nan District, and the risk situation of US beef importation with concerns on Mad Cow Disease.

Center for Austronasian Health Development and Research Center

This is perhaps one of the most unique programs in Taiwan with focus on health issues of aborigines in Taiwan as well as those in southeast Pacific islands and regions (including Australia). This Center and program is endorsed by DOH and the Executive Yuan of Taiwan. Specific research on aborigine health issues such as gout, alcoholism, and betel nut chewing, in comparison with general population are conducted.

Occupational Medicine Research Program

Occupational medicine research is also a developmental focus and commitment of DEHOM. Plans for research interaction and collaborations have already been made with various medical centers and hospitals in Taiwan. Currently strong research efforts have been focused on the pulmonary and respiratory diseases, especially asbestos-related pulmonary diseases and complications. Research efforts on other frequent occupational-related health issues in Taiwan including toxiconeurology, dermatopathology, and cancer development will also be developed.