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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2019.45.5.541

A Study on Heavy Metals Exposure and Major Sociodemographic Influence Factors among Korean Adults - Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2009-2017) -  

Joo, Youngkyung (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kwon, Young Min (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kim, Sung Yeon (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Choi, Kyungho (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Lee, Chulwoo (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Yu, Seung Do (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Yoo, Jiyoung (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.45, no.5, 2019 , pp. 541-555 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine heavy metal exposure levels in the blood and urine of a nationally representative adult population in Korea, and to identify the major influence factors for exposure through linkage analysis using questionnaire data. Methods: Biological samples and questionnaire data were collected from adults aged 18 and over who had participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey from 2009 to 2017. Lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure levels were presented with geometric mean and 95th percentiles. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. Results: Blood lead levels increased slightly in Cycle 2 compared to Cycle 1, but decreased in Cycle 3. Blood and urinary mercury and urinary cadmium levels decreased over time. The main influence factors included gender, age, and smoking status for blood lead levels; gender, age, and intake of fish at least once a week for blood mercury levels; and age for urinary cadmium levels. Conclusion: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey is an effective tool for confirming over-time changes in exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium in Korean adults and to identify its influence factors. The results of this study are expected to present basic data for calculating reference values and baseline exposure levels for environmental chemicals in Korean adults.
Keywords
Heavy metals; adult; biomonitoring; KoNEHS;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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