Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Exploration of an Area with High Concentrations of Particulate Matter and Biomonitoring Survey of Volatile Organic Compounds among the Residents

부산 내 미세먼지 고농도 지역 탐색 및 체내 휘발성유기화합물 바이오모니터링 조사

  • Hyunji Ju (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Seungho Lee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Jae-Hee Min (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Yong-Sik Hwang (Silla Environmental Consulting Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Young-Seoub Hong (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
  • 주현지 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이승호 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 민재희 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 황용식 (신라환경컨설팅(주)) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2023.11.20
  • Accepted : 2023.12.13
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Background: With its developed port and related industries, the concentration of fine dust is high in Busan compared to other cities in South Korea. Many studies have reported the health effects of fine dust, but there has been a lack of information regarding concentrations of volatile organic compounds among those who exposed to high levels of fine dust. Objectives: This study aimed to define an area with high concentrations of particulate matter and perform biomonitoring surveys among the residents of the area. Methods: Air quality data was collected and the mean level of each district in Busan was derived. We then defined the area with the highest concentrations of PM10 as a target site. Urine samples were collected from the 400 participants and analyzed for VOCs metabolites - trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and N-AcetylS-(benzyl)-L-cysteine (BMA). Interviews were conducted by trained investigators to examine demographic information. The levels of t,t-MA and BMA were compared with representative South Korean population data (Korean National Environmental Health Survey). The association of the VOC metabolites and fine dust were analyzed by general linear regression analysis. Results: The mean of PM10 in the target site was 42.50 ㎍/m3 from 2018 to 2020. Among the 400 participants in the target site, 74.8% were female and the average age of the participants was 66 years. The geometric mean of t,t-MA was 71.15 ㎍/g creatinine and the BMA was 7.00 ㎍/g creatinine among the residents. The levels were higher than the geometric mean from the 4th KoNEHS. The levels of t,t-MA showed significance in BMI, smoking status, and household income. BMA showed significance in gender and age. Conclusions: Compared to the general population of South Korea, the target site's residents had higher biomonitoring levels. Based on this study, continuous screening for high risk areas, including the target site, and biomonitoring of the residents are required.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 환경부·한국환경보건학회 환경보건센터 "2023년 환경보건 전문인력 양성사업 위탁사업(환경보건학회)"에서 지원받아 수행된 결과이며, 이에 감사드립니다

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