• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of environmental perception in neighborhood parks on user's recognition of health improvement. This study used objective field survey data and subjective user survey data at 8 neighborhood parks in Changwon City. According to the results, the perceptions of distance and street environment from home to park were evaluated highly but the perception of water spaces and various attractions within the parks were rated lowly in most of parks. As a result of factor analysis, 23 environmental perception variables were classified into 6 factors such as scenery, comfort, accessibility, activity, convenience and amenity. For the result of regression analysis between environmental perceptions and user's recognition of health improvement based on 6 factors, the recognition of physical health improvement was significantly influenced from environmental perception factors in 4 parks among 8 parks. 'Accessibility' and 'activity' were analyzed as the meaningful factors in 3 parks. Also, recognition of mental health improvement was significantly influenced from environmental perception factors in 5 parks among 8 parks and especially 'accessibility' was showed as the significant factor in 4 parks. The findings from this study can contribute to improve the physical environments of the present parks and can be a basic data for new park development.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2014

Exposure factors based on the Korean population are required for making appropriate risk assessment. It is expected that handbooks for exposure factors will be applied in many fields, as well as by health department risk assessors. The present article describes the development of an exposure factors handbook that specifically focuses on human activities in situations involving the possible risk of exposure to environmental contaminants. We define majour exposure factors that represent behavioral patterns for risk assessment, including time spent on routine activities, in different places, on using transportation, and engaged in activities related to water contact including swimming, bathing and washing. Duration of residence and employment are also defined. National survey data were used to identify recommended levels of exposure factors in terms of time spent on routine activities and period of residence and employment. An online survey was conducted with 2073 subjects who were selected using a stratified random sampling method in order to develop a list of exposure factors for the time spent in different places and in performing water-related activities. We provide the statistical distribution of the variables, and report reference levels of average exposure based on the reliable data in our exposure factors handbook.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.405-415
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of frailty with perceived neighborhood walkability and environmental pollution among community-dwelling older adults in rural areas. Methods: The participants were 808 community-dwelling men and women aged 65 years and older in 2 rural towns. Comprehensive information, including demographics, socioeconomic status, grip strength, polypharmacy, perceived neighborhood environment (specifically, walkability and environmental pollution), and frailty, was collected from participants using face-to-face interviews conducted between June and August 2018. Perceived neighborhood walkability was measured using 20 items that were selected and revised from the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale, the Neighborhood Walkability Checklist from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, and the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey. The Kaigo-Yobo Checklist was used to assess participants' frailty. Results: The overall prevalence of frailty in this community-dwelling population was 35.5%. Sex, age, cohabitation status, educational attainment, employment status, grip strength, and polypharmacy were significantly associated with frailty. In the logistic regression analysis, frailty was associated with low perceived neighborhood walkability (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.881; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.833 to 0.932; p<0.001) and severe perceived neighborhood environmental pollution (aOR, 1.052; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.087; p=0.003) after adjusting for sex, age, cohabitation status, educational attainment, employment status, monthly income, grip strength, and polypharmacy. Conclusions: More studies are warranted to establish causal relationships between walkability and environmental pollution and frailty.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.247-256
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• 2008

Public perceptions of nanotechnology and its potential risk can be an important measure for the sustainable advances of the technology. We conducted a survey for public (N =599) and experts (N = 165). They answered the same questions and results were analyzed. 74% of the public have not heard about the potential risk of nanotechnology and 77% expected that nanotechnology/materials are not harmful to the human and nature. 74% of experts realized the potential hazards by nanomaterials. The results represented that large perception gab between public and experts has existed in Korea. Interestingly, Korean public thought that nanotechnology is more profitable and less risky than that of American. We suggest that 'now is the best time to give appropriate information on the potential risk of nanotechnology to Korean public without preconception or exaggeration.'

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2009

Most of families in Korea keep some medicines that has been expired or not been used for a long time, and these medicines could be causing environmental or social problems. Currently many people concerned about their health and therefore show a tendency to visit many health facilities. It eventually brings to remain more medication in home The aim of this study is to determine the drug waste minimization and drug disposal in Korean home and provide the proper guideline for them. This study were performed by visiting total randomly selected 140 homes at the Seoul area from July 23rd, 2008 to July 31st, 2008 by questionnaire. This survey comprised total 6 parts and total 22 questions. In results, 77 (55.0%) among 140 families answered to this survey. 89.6% of families keep unused medicine in the home. Most were tablet (66.3%) and syrup (19.2%) dosage type. They usually kept the unused medicine in the room (41.6%) or no certain place. 76.6% families reused the medicine and used for themselves. The reason for reuse is similar symptoms by their decision. The reason for medicine was left over is not following the prescription's direction (31.3%). They mostly dispose the unused medications by throwing into a trash can (71.4%). In conclusion, many families keeps unused medication and it could cause health and environmental problems.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2013

Objectives: Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, has been recognized as a frequent cause of waterborne disease due to its extremely strong resistance against chlorine disinfection. Although there has as yet been no report of a Cryptosporidium outbreak through drinking water in Korea, it is important to estimate the health risk of Cryptosporidium in water supply systems because of the various infection cases in human and domestic animals and frequent detection reports on their oocysts in water environments. Methods: This study evaluated the annual infection risk of Cryptosporidium in tap water using the quantitative microbial risk assessment technique. Exposure assessment was performed upon the results of a national survey on Cryptosporidium on the water sources of 97 large-scale water purification plants in Korea, water treatment efficacy, and daily unboiled tap water consumption. The estimates of the US Environmental Protection Agency on the mean likelihood of infection from ingesting one oocyst were applied for effect assessment. Results: Using probabilistic methods, mean annual infection risk of Cryptosporidiosis by the intake of tap water was estimated to fall within the range of $2.3{\times}10^{-4}$ to $1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ (median $5.7{\times}10^{-4}$). The risk in using river sources was predicted to be four times higher than with lake sources. With 0.5-log higher removal efficacy, the risk was estimated to be $1.8{\times}10^{-4}$, and could then be lowered by one-third. Conclusions: These estimations can be compared with acceptable risk and then used to determine the adequacy and priority of various drinking water quality strategies such as the establishment of new treatment technology.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.51-60
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• 2011

Objectives: This article intends to describe the status of and challenges for physical activity in Korean university students. Methods: National level secondary data and related articles were reviewed including KNHANES(Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) and Online Youth Health Behavior Survey. Four tables and two figures were generated from original data and related articles. Results: The proportion of Korean university students practicing regular physical activity appear to be about half of that in American students. Gender difference in physical activity practicing rate seems to be maintained in university years. The main reason for physical inactivity was that physical activity was bothersome. The trends of physical activity practice in Korean students since middle school years needs further research. Conclusions: To increase the rate of physical activity in Korean university students, evidence-based comprehensive approaches are needed including campaign and informational approaches, behavioral and social approaches and policy and environmental approaches adapted to Korean university students.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in hazardous pollutant emissions in Korea over the period of 2006-2015. Methods: A survey of hazardous pollutant emissions was conducted through the homepage for 2006-2015. The emission of hazardous chemicals and the health effect was examined using the Annual Report of Air Quality in Korea (2016) and National Health Statistics (2015) as references. Results: Hazardous pollutant emissions increased by 1.1 times over the past decade, and the circulation amount of chemicals was 15% compared to the previous year. $PM_{10}$ concentrations showed a tendency to decrease, but emissions have not declined. In addition, asthma and atopic dermatitis correlated with similar emissions, but allergic disease showed no connection. Conclusion: These results on hazardous pollutant emissions indicate that they have increased. However, no association between emissions and health effects was shown, so more research is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2023

Sampling designs often use stratified sampling, where elements or clusters of the study population are divided into strata and an independent sample is chosen from each stratum. The stratification strategy consists of stratification and sample allocation, which are important issues that are repeatedly considered in survey sampling. Although a stratified multistage sample design is often used in practice, the literature tends to discuss simple sampling in terms of stratum effects or stratum efficiency. This study examines an existing stratum efficiency measure for two-stage sampling and further proposes additional stratum efficiency measures using the design effect model. The proposed measures are used to evaluate the stratification strategy of the sample design for high school students of the 4^th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS).

• 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.