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Monitoring Study on Exposure Levels of Environmental Pollutants in Residents of a Non-Industrial Area, Korea

비산단지역 환경오염 수준 및 주민의 생체지표 모니터링

  • Kim, Dae-Seon (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Ahn, Seung Chul (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Ryu, Jung Min (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Yu, Seung Do (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
  • 김대선 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 안승철 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 류정민 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 유승도 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과)
  • Received : 2012.10.15
  • Published : 2012.12.31

Abstract

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with data on vulnerable areas such as industrial complexes in Ulsan, SihwaBanwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang, Cheongju and Daesan in Korea. Methods: This study was performed on 1,007 local residents in Gangneung using personal questionnaires and medical check-up. Environmental pollutants including heavy metals in blood and urine were analyzed and the results are as follows. Results: According to the results of medical check-up, 705 subjects were "Normal (A and B)", 232 subjects were "Disease doubtful (R1)" and 70 subjects were "High blood pressure or Diabetes doubtful (R2)". Regarding geometric mean concentration, blood lead was 1.57 ${\mu}g/dL$, urine cadmium was 0.82 ${\mu}g/g-cr$, urine mercury was 0.98 ${\mu}g/g-cr$ and urine arsenic was 15.78 ${\mu}g/g-cr$. In the analysis of 11 kinds of VOCs in blood, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene and dichloroethylene were not detected, while the detection rate of other chemicals was above 70% except chloroform(49.7%) and trichloroethylene(19.0%). In analysis of 16 kinds of PAHs in blood, 10 kinds showed more than 80% in detection rate. Also, detection rate of 4 kinds of PCBs in blood ranged 52 to 78%. Conclusions: Compared with industrial compelxes, the concentration of blood lead was lower, while urine cadmium and mercury levels were similar. Also, urine arsenic ranged at a significant level. Further study is required to find the cause of regional differences in concentrations of environmental pollutants.

Keywords

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