• Fire Science and Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.38-42
• /
• 2012

Major industrial accidents such as fires, explosions and toxic releases have occurred in Ulsan, Yeosu petrochemical complex area every year. In this study, we analyzed the causes of the previous major accidents in order to provide reasonable measures for safety regulations and process safety management. Consequently, It is necessary to make constant revisions of safety regulations and to improve process safety management in other to prevent major industrial accidents in the petrochemical complex areas.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.315-327
• /
• 2005

The total of 35 target VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which were included in the TO-14, was selected to develop a VOCs' source profile matrix of the Yeosu Petrochemical Complex and to test its collinearity by singular value decomposition(SVD) technique. The VOCs collected in canisters were sampled from 12 different sources such as 8 direct emission sources (refinery, painting, wastewater treatment plant, incinerator, petrochemical processing, oil storage, fertilizer plant, and iron mill) and 4 general area sources (gasoline vapor emission, graphic art activity, vehicle emission, and asphalt paving activity) in this study area, and then those samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Initially the resulting raw data for each profile were scaled and normalized through several data treatment steps, and then specific VOCs showing major weight fractions were intensively reviewed and compared by introducing many other related studies. Next, all of the source profiles were tested in terms of degree of collinearity by SVD technique. The study finally could provide a proper VOCs' source profile in the study area, which can give opportunities to apply various receptor models properly including chemical mass balance (CMB).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.83-96
• /
• 2005

The purposes of this study were to characterize the local levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), to develop source profiles of VOCs, and to quantify the source contribution of VOCs using the CMB (chemical mass balance) model. The concentration of VOCs had been measured every 6-day duration in the SRO monitoring site in the Yeosu Petrochemical Industrial Complex from September 2000 to August 2002. The total of 35 target VOCs, which were included in the TO-14 designated from the U.S. EPA, was selected to be monitored in the study area. During a 24-h period, the ambient VOCs were sampled by using canisters placing about 10 ～ 15 m above the ground level. The collected canisters were then analyzed by a GC-MS in the laboratory. Aside from ambient sampling at the SRO site, the VOCs had been intensively and massively measured from 8 direct sources and 4 general sources in the study area. The results obtained in the study were as follows; first, the annual mean concentrations of the target VOCs were widely distributed regardless of monitoring sites in the Yeosu Petrochemical Industrial Complex. In particular, the concentrations of BTX (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene), vinyl chloride were higher than other target compounds. Second, based on these source sample data, source profiles for VOCs were developed to apply a receptor model, the CMB model. Third, the results of source apportionment study for the VOCs in the SRO Site were as follows; The source of petrochemical plant was apportioned by 31.3% in terms of VOCs mass. The site was also affected by 16.7% from wastewater treatment plant, 14.0% from iron mills, 8.4% from refineries, 4.4% from oil storage, 3.8% from automobiles, 2.3% from fertilizer, 2.3% from painting, 2.2% from waste incinerator, 0.6% from graphic art, and 0.4% from gasoline vapor sources.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.213-223
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the level of physical exposure to heavy metals among residents who live around a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex and to provide baseline data on the effects and harms of heavy metals on the human body by comparing their exposure levels to those of people from control regions. Methods: We measured blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury and chromium levels and conducted a survey among 559 residents from the affected area and 347 residents of other areas. Results: Blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury levels were significantly higher in the case region than among those in the control region (p=0.013, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the thermoelectric power plant area, blood cadmium and urine mercury levels were significantly higher than in the control region (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the steel mill and petrochemical industry areas, blood cadmium level was significantly higher than that in the control region (p<0.001). Dividing groups by the reference level of blood cadmium ($2{\mu}g/L$), the odds ratios between the case and control regions were 2.56 (95% CI=1.83-3.58), 3.11 (95% CI=2.06-4.71) for the thermoelectric power plant area, 1.78 (95% CI=1.19-2.65) for the steel mill area and 4.07 (95% CI=2.40-6.89) for petrochemical industry area. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of exposure to heavy metals among residents living near a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex were significantly higher than those in the control region. This seems to be attributable to exposure to heavy metals emissions from the industrial complex. Further research and safety measures are required to protect residents' health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.2 s.95
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2007

This study investigated the health effects of offensive odor in residents living near the petrochemical industry complex area(PICA) and the thermoelectric power plant(TPP) by using questionnaire. Residents who felt the offensive odor were 58.3% at PICA, 50.9% at TPP and 24.4% at classical fishing and agrarian villages (CFAV)(p=0.000). People who answered that the offensive odor was sever at CFAV were 95.2% only on summer, but at PICA and TPP, were 44.1% and 57.3% on Spring, 62.4% and 68.8% on Summer, 22.0% and 31.7% on Autumn, and 21.7% and 25.7% on Winter, respectively. Average days that the odor occurred were 4.4 days/month at CFAV, but 12.0 and 9.5 days/month at PICA and TPP, respectively. People who experienced the sleep disturbance were 28.0% and 27.1% at PICA and TPP, respectively. The most frequently subjective symptoms were headache(0.953), frequently sneezing(0.825), itchy eyes(0.766), and stimulating eyes(0.709) at PICA, and headache(1.082), itchy eyes(0.931), itchy skin(0.826), and frequent sneezing(0.674) at TPP, respectively. At PICA and TPP, the occurrence rates of diseases in respondents' families were 15.4% and 15.6% for asthma, 12.4% and 9.2% for respiratory diseases, 27.8% and 31.2% for skin diseases, and 9.1% and 6.9% for nervous diseases, respectively. In conclusion, many residents who living near the PICA and TPP experienced the offensive odor during four seasons, especially high on summer, the most frequently subjective symptoms such as headache, itchy and stimulating eyes, frequently sneezing, and some diseases among their families such as asthma, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and nervous diseases.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.31
• /
• pp.17.1-17.7
• /
• 2016

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between residential district of people, such as power plant, steel-mill and petrochemical industries, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study from industrial areas (thermoelectric power plant, steel-mill, petrochemical industry) and rural areas. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the relationships between Euro quality of life-5 dimension (EQ-5D) scores and living region, while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results In adjusted model, quality of life decreased with increasing category of age and were lower for females than males. EQ-5D scores of people living in the vicinity of thermoelectric power plant were significant lower than those of people living the vicinity of comparison region (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 2.53). Conclusions Living region of thermoelectric power plant, was strongly associated with scores on the EQ-5D. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms which makes the relationship with the living regions and HRQoL.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.23-35
• /
• 2000

PM10, which is below 10 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in a diameter, has a high deposition in the lung or the bronchus by breathing and is generally composed of a lot of organic matters, viruses, algae, mold, and metallic elements that are very toxic to people. This study identified the characteristics of concentration of PM10 and air-borne jmetallic elements produced in the industrial city, Ulsan, and analyzed the correlatuion between sources and generation patterns of PM10 and metallic elements. We classified the five areas(green, residential, heavy traffic, mechanic, and petrochemcal and non-ferrous metal) which might have different characteristics of sources of PM10 and metallic elements. The average concentrations of PM10 in the five areas were as follows(petrochemical and non-ferrous metal(99.9$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥)>mechanic(77.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥)>heavy traffic(47.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥)>residential(39.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥)>green(32.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥)). Those of petrochemical and non-ferrous metal areas were higher than other areas. In this study, the average concentration trend of metallic elements contained in PM10 are shown as follows: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Mn>Cr>As>Cd>Sn>Hg, respectively. The metallic elements identified in PM10 showed the highest concentration in the petrochemical and non-ferrous areas. Metal combinations showed that a high correlation among concentrations of heavy metals were as follows: As, Cd and Fe in the residential area; Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb in the mechanical area; and Zn, Cu, As, Pb in the petrochemical and non-ferrous industrial area.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.366-377
• /
• 2021

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated in petrochemical complexes, can spread to residential areas and affect the health of residents. Although harmful PAHs are mainly present in particle phase, gas phase PAHs can generate stronger toxic substances through photochemical reaction. Therefore, the risk assessment for PAHs around the petrochemical complex should consider both particle and gas phase concentrations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the concentration characteristics of particle and gas phase PAHs by season in residential areas around petrochemical complexes, and to assess the risk of PAHs. Methods: Samples were collected for 7 days by seasons in 2014~2015 using a high volume air sampler. Particle and gas phase PAHs were sampled using quartz filter and polyurethane foam, respectively, analyzed by GC-MS. Chronic toxicity and probabilistic risk assessment were performed on 14 PAHs. For chronic toxicity risk assessment, inhalation unit risk was used. Monte-Carlo simulation was performed for probabilistic risk assessment using the mean and standard deviation of measured PAHs. Results: The concentration of particle total PAHs was highest in autumn. The gas phase concentration was highest in autumn. The average gas phase distribution ratio of low molecular weight PAHs composed of 2~3 benzene rings was 85%. The average of the medium molecular weight composed of 4 benzene rings was 53%, and the average of the high molecular weight composed of 5 or more benzene rings was 9%. In the chronic toxicity risk assessment, 7 of the 14 PAHs exceeded the excess carcinogenic risk of 1.00×10^-6. In the Monte-Carlo simulation, Benzo[a]pyrene had the highest probability of exceeding 1.00×10^-6, which was 100%. Conclusions: The concentration of PAHs in the residential area around the petrochemical complex exceeded the standard, and the excess carcinogenic risk was evaluated to be high. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the air environment around the petrochemical complex.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.224-233
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between residential surroundings, such as a power plant, steel mill and petrochemical facilities, and urinary arsenic concentrations in Chungcheongnam-do Province, Korea. Methods: Stratified by fish consumption and residential district, median and maximum block sampling was applied. A total of 346 spot urine samples were speciated for $As^{5+}$, $As^{3+}$, monomethylarsonic acid(MMA), dimethylarsonic acid (DMA) and arsenobetaine (AsB). Exposure assessment was based on questionnaires including data on sex, age, current tobacco use, fish consumption, type of water consumed, and occupational category. Results: Urinary $As^{5+}+As^{3+}+MMA+DMA$ concentrations of people living in the vicinity of a power plant ($GM=50.39{\mu}g/g$) were 61% higher than those of people living in the inland area according to median block sampling. Urinary $As^{5+}+As^{3+}+MMA+DMA+AsB$ concentrations of people living in the vicinity of industrial complex area were higher than those of people living in the inland area according to block sampling by median and maximum. Conclusion: Urinary arsenic concentrations of people living in vulnerable areas such as around industrial complexes, especially power plants, were higher than those of people living in an inland area.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
• /
• 2012.04a
• /
• pp.194-197
• /
• 2012

울산, 여수 등 대단위 석유화학공장이 가동 중인 국가산업단지에서 화재 폭발 및 누출 등 중대산업사고가 발생되는 주요 원인과 안전관리 실태 등 문제점을 분석하여 이에 대한 제도적 측면 및 안전관리 측면에서 합리적인 대책을 제시해 보고자 한다.