Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate air quality in Chungju, Korea, using data obtained with a local air quality monitoring system. We have utilised cohort studies to investigate the relations between environmental pollution and the health of residents near large industrial complexes since 2004. This study analyzes the $O_3,\;NO_2,\;SO_2,\;CO\;and\;PM_{10}$ concentration in Chungju from 2002 to 2006. Air pollutants are closely related to the number of manufacturing facilities and cars, energy utilization and weather conditions. Generally, the diurnal concentration of air pollutants in Chungju reached the highest level in the morning (about$08:00{\sim}$) and early evening (about$19:00{\sim}$). On the other hand, the diurnal concentration of ozone as recorded gives the highest amount in late afternoon (about$16:00{\sim}$) and lowest in early morning (about$08:00{\sim}$). The concentration of air pollutants in Chungju was highest from winter to spring and lowest during the summer season. On the other hand, the monthly variation of ozone concentration was greatest in June and smallest in December. Also the, $PM_{10}$ concentration posted the highest record in April and the lowest during September. In general, this study analyzed air pollution changes in Chungju as well as in large scale industrial complex regions within Korea such as Ulsan, Pohang, Kwangyang, Sihwa Panwol and Gangneung in Korea. We compared the air quality of Chungju with those of these cites and found that air pollutants except for CO in Chungju was generally lower than large industrial complex regions.
