• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.575-582
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• 2016

Seoul city has high population density as well as high traffic congestion, which are vulnerable to exposure of environmental pollutions caused by car traffic. However, recent studies are only on local regions about road traffic and air pollution or health effect of road traffic on residents. Thus, comprehensive study data are needed in terms of overall Seoul regions. In this study utilized the nitrogen dioxide concentration through the national air pollution monitoring network data, 2012 to 2013. It also divided regions into high and low exposure districts via the Origin destination data developed by the Korea transport institute to quantify and evaluate the effect of transport policies and analyzed a correlation of asthma symptoms with high and low exposure districts through raw data of community health survey from the Korea centers for disease control and prevention. Based on the collected data, the pearson's correlation analysis was conducted between air pollution substance concentration and high exposure district and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of traffic environment and factors on asthma symptoms of residents. Accordingly, the following results were derived. First, the high exposure district was higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) as per time compared to those of the low exposure district (p<0.01). Second, analysis on correlation between average daily environmental concentration in the air pollution monitoring network and road traffic showed that nitrogen dioxide had a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) with car traffic and total traffic as well as with truck traffic (p<0.05) statistically. Third, an adjusted odds ratio about asthma doctor's diagnosis in the high and low exposure districts was analyzed through the logistic regression analysis. With regard to an adjusted model 2 (adjusted gender, age, health behavior characteristics, and demographic characteristics) odds ratio of asthma doctor's diagnosis in the high exposure district was 1.624 (95% CI: 1.269~2.077) compared to that of the low exposure district, which was significant statistically (p<0.001).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.506-514
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• 2020

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that increasing dietary copper (Cu) to gravid ewes would enhance brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis in their offspring. Methods: Twin-bearing ewes were assigned on d 70 of gestation to diets containing 3, 10, or 20 ppm dietary Cu (n = 8 per group). Twin lambs were assigned at birth to a cold (6℃) or warm (28℃) environmental chamber for 48 h. Blood was collected from ewes and from lambs and perirenal BAT was collected after 48 h in the environmental chambers. Results: Prenatal Cu exposure increased ewe plasma triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine concentration (T₄) (p<0.01) but prenatal Cu exposure had no effect on lamb plasma concentrations of T₃, T₄, glucose, or nonesterified fatty acid concentration (p≥0.08). The high level of prenatal Cu exposure depressed 48-h rectal temperature (p = 0.03). Cold exposure decreased BAT norepinephrine (NE) and increased BAT dopamine (p≤0.01), but prenatal Cu exposure had no effect on BAT cytochrome C oxidase activity or BAT NE or dopamine (p≥0.07). However, BAT of lambs from high-Cu ewes maintained higher uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene expression than BAT of lambs from low- and medium-Cu ewes following warm or cold exposure in environmental chambers (p = 0.02). Cold exposure caused near depletion of BAT lipid by 48 h (p<0.001), increased BAT cytochrome c oxidase activity (p<0.01), and depressed plasma fatty acid concentrations (p<0.001). Conclusion: Although prenatal Cu exposure increased BAT UCP1 expression during warm and cold exposure, prenatal cold Cu exposure depressed 48-h rectal temperature. Cold exposure decreased BAT lipid content by over 80% and decreased lamb plasma fatty acid concentration by over 40%, indicating that fuel reserves for thermogenesis were nearly depleted by 48 h of cold exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.310-321
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• 2007

Status of benzene exposure was evaluated upon petrochemical workers in the Yeosu Industrial Complex, based on questionnaire responses by workers, review of previous work environment assessment reports between 1996 and 2004, in addition to short-term exposure measurements for unit tasks in the field. Questionnaire results showed that workers in the field were suffering concern on and symptoms of respiratory diseases, cancers or other illnesses of unknown causes. In particular, workers were highly worried about the risk of exposure to chemical hazards including benzene, while conducting specific tasks (e.g. sampling, draining, gauging) among normal operations during which equipments are opened and contents are exposedin the air, as well as periodic turnaround (TA) task. However, the review of previous work environment assessment reports found out that short-term exposure assessment data for unit tasks accounted for less than 1% of total data, and most of them were on 8-hr average exposure level. It also turned out that benzene was not detected in 83% of total samples, suggesting routine but pointless sampling has been repeated. Short-term exposure level was assessed focusing on tasks with high level of complaints on the exposure risk, based on the questionnaire responses. As predicted, a maximum of 741 ppm benzene exposure was reached depending on types and conditions of operations involved. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the evaluation and management on the short-term high exposure tasks including turnaround are crucial in reducing benzene exposure and preventing haematopoietic cancer in workers in the petrochemical industry.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2023

Background: The association between exposure to extremely low frequency-magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and childhood leukemia has been controversial. There is a need to clarify this relationship by summarizing key conclusions from systematic review articles. Objectives: The major aim of this study is to summarize key conclusions from systematic review articles on the association between exposure to ELF-MF and childhood leukemia based on childhood exposure to ELF-MF, proximity from childhood household to high voltage cables, and parental occupational exposure to ELF-MF. Methods: This study was conducted through a brief literature review focusing on systematic, meta-analysis, and pooled analysis methods. We conducted a literature search in PubMed using the key words "ELF-MF" and "childhood leukemia" singly or combined. Results: In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed two manuscripts to conduct pooled analysis and concluded that there is a significant association between exposure to >0.3 μT or 0.4 μT and childhood leukemia. We found a total of four manuscripts for systematic or pool analysis that have been published since the IARC's conclusion. They consistently concluded that there was a significant association between exposure to >0.4 μT and childhood leukemia compared to ELF-MF exposure to below 0.1 μT. The proximity of children's households to high voltage cable lines and occupational exposure by their parents to ELF-MF during certain periods prior to or during pregnancy were inconsistently associated with childhood leukemia. The study found that many EU countries have implemented precautionary policies to prevent potential childhood leukemia due to exposure to ELF-MF. Conclusions: This study recommends implementing a precautionary policy that includes legal exposure limits for ELF-MF to minimize exposure to ELF-MF.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.262-274
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• 2023

Background: Exposure levels for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have increased due to human activities. They are known to be a public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the exposure levels to heavy metals in the blood and urine of South Korean adults and to present the contribution rate of exposure pathways using an exposure algorithm for men aged 19~64, women aged 19~64, and all seniors aged 65 or older. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 (2018~2020). A total of 2,646 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. The contribution rate was calculated by applying three exposure algorithms for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Results: Factors that commonly affect heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine were gender and age. The main influencing factors for Pb and Cd were education level and smoking status, while frequency of fish consumption and of alcohol consumption were indicated to be the main influencing factors for mercury. The contribution rates of lead and cadmium from food ingestion were 78.03~79.62% and 88.39~92.89%, respectively. Additionally, the highest contribution for mercury was accounted for by food at 81.69~85.77%. As a result of the risk assessment, cadmium was found to pose a potential health risk a with total cancer risk (TCR) of more than 1×10^-6. Conclusions: The KoNEHS could be an important study for determining the level of exposure to heavy metals and their influencing factors. Integrated exposure to heavy metals could assess the main exposure pathways, and this methodology could be applied to exposure management of heavy metals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2024

Objectives: Excess mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) has been documented. However, research on the disease burden following short-term exposure is scarce. We investigated the cause-specific mortality burden of short-term exposure to PM_2.5 by considering the potential non-linear concentration-response relationship in Korea. Methods: Daily cause-specific mortality rates and PM_2.5 exposure levels from 2010 to 2019 were collected for 8 Korean cities and 9 provinces. A generalized additive mixed model was employed to estimate the non-linear relationship between PM_2.5 exposure and cause-specific mortality levels. We assumed no detrimental health effects of PM_2.5 concentrations below 15 ㎍/m³. Overall deaths attributable to short-term PM_2.5 exposure were estimated by summing the daily numbers of excess deaths associated with ambient PM_2.5 exposure. Results: Of the 2 749 704 recorded deaths, 2 453 686 (89.2%) were non-accidental, 591 267 (21.5%) were cardiovascular, and 141 066 (5.1%) were respiratory in nature. A non-linear relationship was observed between all-cause mortality and exposure to PM_2.5 at lag0, whereas linear associations were evident for cause-specific mortalities. Overall, 10 814 all-cause, 7855 non-accidental, 1642 cardiovascular, and 708 respiratory deaths were attributed to short-term exposure to PM_2.5. The estimated number of all-cause excess deaths due to short-term PM_2.5 exposure in 2019 was 1039 (95% confidence interval, 604 to 1472). Conclusions: Our findings indicate an association between short-term PM_2.5 exposure and various mortality rates (all-cause, non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory) in Korea over the period from 2010 to 2019. Consequently, action plans should be developed to reduce deaths attributable to short-term exposure to PM_2.5.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.541-555
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• 2019

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.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.314-323
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• 2016

Objectives: Time location data are critical for accurately estimating personal exposures. This review papers summarized various measurement methods of time location pattern for air pollution exposure assessment. Methods: Forty manuscripts (papers, books and reports) were reviewed to comprehensively describe time location measurement methods. Results: This review included traditional methods such as time activity diary, questionnaire, observation, focus group and newly developed technical methods including global positioning system, web, radio frequency identification and ultrasound detection. Some research applied a combination of methods. Conclusion: Although various methods have been used to collect time location data, further development of accurate measurement methods for time location data is needed.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.160-168
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the pro-environmental attitude (actual commitment domain, verbal commitment domain, affect domain), behavior to decreased exposure and knowledge of endocrine disruptors by obesity -related profiles (BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass percentage, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 102 nursing students. Data were collected from November to December, 2015 using self-report questionnaires and physical measurements. Data were analyzed using t-test, Pearson correlation and coefficients with SPSS 18.0. Results: The study results showed that actual commitment domain of pro-environmental attitude and behavior to decreased exposure level on endocrine disruptors were significantly related to visceral fat percentage. Actual commitment domain of a pro-environmental attitude was significantly related to body fat percentage. Pro-environmental attitude was significantly related to the behavior to decreased exposure level on endocrine disruptors and knowledge thereof. Conclusion: These findings suggest that visceral fat and body fat percentages were significantly related to the actual commitment domain of a pro-environmental attitude. Therefore, a replication study is recommended to understand the connection between endocrine disruptors and obesity. In addition, developing an education program about endocrine disruptors for nursing students is recommended. In particular, a pro-environmental attitude, especially on actual commitment domain, could be involved as an education program.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the level of exposure to volatile organic compounds for different kinds of households in apartments or houses and analyze the relation between atopy-related symptoms and concentration of volatile organic compounds in order to improve indoor air quality and start to build a process to prevent environmental diseases. Method: From July 2010 to November 2010, TVOC concentration levels were measured and analyzed in 402 general households and 236 weak households, totalling 638 households. Residents were asked to fill out a survey on environmental disease. All resources were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 program. Result: In comparing the differences in concentration levels of volatile organic compounds for different types of households, including existing apartments and houses, the type of housing did not affect the concentration level of volatile organic compounds, but the relevance with skin trouble, diagnosed atopy, and atopy systems all had statistical similarities. Moreover, above-limit volatile organic compounds showed statistical relevance with amount of ventilation, time of construction, skin trouble, diagnosed atopy and atopy symptoms. Conclusion: The study concludes that as the time of construction recedes further into the past and as the amount of ventilation is higher, the exposure level to volatile organic compounds was lower and the group that were suffering from atopy symptoms had higher exposure to volatile organic compounds.