• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.366-379
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter(PM) pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu metropolitan region. Methods: The California Puff(CALPUFF) dispersion model, version 5.8, which can estimate the dispersion direction and range of airborn $PM_{10}$ was used to determine the possible areas affected by $PM_{10}$ pollutants emitted from Ansim briquette fuel complex. The CALPUFF modeling with 200 m grid-cell resolution was performed based on $PM_{10}$ emissions estimated from the amount of coal consumption in the fuel complex for four months in 2012. The Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) fields were processed using CALMET to produce CALPUFF-ready meteorological inputs. Also, the distance from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex to the residence of each environmental pneumoconiosis patient was analyzed. In addition, the affecting region of the pollutants emitted from briquette factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was determined. Results: CALPUFF modeling results showed that the highest concentrations of $PM_{10}$ were found near around the fuel complex. The modeled $PM_{10}$ distributions were characterized by significant decreases in concentration with distance from the complex. Seasonally, the highest concentration of $45{\mu}g/m^3$ was calculated in October which was mostly due to the distinct variation of amount of emission. Additional modeling with the maximum $PM_{10}$ emission of about 88 tons per year in 1986 showed that the highest concentration in October was nearly increased by 8 times than the concentration modeled with emission of 2010. As a result of medical examination and interviews for the residents in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its surroundings, 8 environmental pneumoconiosis patients were found. These patients do not have occupational exposure and history. These patients have lived 0.3~1.1 km area in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its surroundings. Conclusions: Airborne particles emitted from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex can contribute to significant increase in $PM_{10}$ concentration in residential areas near around the complex. Especially, the residents near fuel complex may exposed to the pollutants emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.380-391
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its vicinities. Also, this study measured and analyzed the concentration of TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals which influences on the environmental and respiratory disease in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex, Daegu, Korea. Methods: In this study, we analyzed various environmental pollutants such as particulate matter and heavy metals from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex that adversely affected local residents's health. In particular, we verified the concentration distribution and characteristics of exposure for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ among particulate matters, and heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Mg). In that regard, the official test method on air pollution in Korea for analysis of particulate matter and heavy metal in atmosphere were conducted. The large capacity air sampling method by the official test method on air pollution in Korea were applied for sampling of heavy metals in atmosphere. In addition, we evaluated the concentration of seasonal environmental pollutants for each point of residence in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and surrounding area. The sampling measured periods for air pollutants were from August 11, 2013 to February 21, 2014. Furthermore, we measured and analyzed the seasonal concentrations(summer, autumn and winter). Results: The average concentration for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ by direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.7, 1.4 and 1.9 times higher than reference region. In analysis results of seasonal concentrations for particulate matter in four direct influence and reference area, concentration levels for winter were generally somewhat higher than concentrations for summer and autumn. The average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were $0.0008{\pm}0.0004{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0141{\pm}0.0163{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0248{\pm}0.0059{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0026{\pm}0.0011{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0272{\pm}0.0084{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.4855{\pm}0.1862{\mu}g/Sm^3$, and $0.3068{\pm}0.0631{\mu}g/Sm^3$, respectively. In particularly, the average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.9, 3.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 1.2 times higher than reference area, respectively. The continuous monitoring and management were required for some heavy metals such as Cr and Ni. Moreover, the average concentration in winter for particulate matter in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were generally higher than concentrations in summer and autumn. Also, average concentrations for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were from 1.5 to 2.0 times, 1.2 to 1.8 times, and 1.1 to 2.3 times higher than reference area, respectively. In results for seasonal atmospheric environment, TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metal concentrations in direct influence area were higher than reference area. Especially, the concentrations in C station were a high level in comparison with other area. Conclusions: In the results, some particulate matters and heavy metals were relatively high concentration, in order to understand the environmental pollution level and health effect in surrounding area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex. The concentration of some heavy metals emitted from direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than reference area. In particular, average concentration for heavy metals in this study were higher than average concentrations in air quality monitoring station for heavy metal for 7 years in Deagu metropolitan region. Especially, the residents near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex may be exposed to the pollutants(TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals, etc) emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2024

This study was conducted to identify the pollutants generated by the fuel complex and to determine the health effects of the surrounding residents. In addition, based on the results of epidemiological surveys and health impact surveys of local residents, we analyze the distribution of patient groups and exposure characteristics according to the distance from the fuel complex boundary. Samples were collected from the briquette plant within the fuel complex and analyzed by SEM-EDXA, X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, and ICP. In addition, the distribution of patients and exposure characteristics were analyzed according to the distance from the fuel complex and yard boundaries. Analysis of briquette samples from the fuel complex showed that the average particle size was 10-30 ㎛, the shape was irregular, and SiO₂ accounted for more than 50%. It is believed that silica, which causes pneumoconiosis, may have been scattered into the air. In particular, there was a large distribution of 5 ㎛ particles that affect respiratory diseases. According to the analysis of the residential addresses and distribution of pneumoconiosis cases, many pneumoconiosis cases were located in the area between 200 and 500 meters from the boundary of the fuel complex. In addition, 28 pneumoconiosis cases were identified as a result of the epidemiological survey and health impact survey at the fuel complex. In detail, there were 8 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis, 6 cases of environmental pneumoconiosis, and 14 cases of occupational and environmental pneumoconiosis. The confirmed pneumoconiosis cases were located between 0.3 and 1.1 kilometers from the fuel complex. It was found that environmental pollutants generated by the fuel complex adversely affect the health of local residents. In particular, there are many cases of pneumoconiosis in the area between 200 and 500 meters from the boundary of the fuel complex, and this distance is considered to be the direct and indirect impact zone of the briquette plant.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.355-365
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to better understand the relationship between health effects and exposure to dusts from a briquette fuel complex in Ansim, Daegu, Korea. Methods: The subjects of this study consisted of 2,980 persons over 40 years old who had lived 20 years or more around a briquette fuel complex in Daegu. We conducted a questionnaire survey, and chest radiography was performed. In addition, chest computed tomography(CT) (335 cases) and pulmonary function test(PFT) (658 cases) were done. Pneumoconiosis was diagnosed if one of three radiologists determined(or suspected) pneumoconiosis. We also conducted in-depth interviews for pneumoconiosis cases. We defined the exposed group as subjects residing within a 500 meter radius from the walls of the briquette fuel complex, and the others were defined as the control group. Results: Subjects in the exposed and control groups are respectively 715(24%) and 2,265 cases(76%). Major respiratory symptoms in the exposed group such as sputum, dyspnea, chest tightness and wheezing were significantly higher than in the control group. By chest radiography, 173 cases of pneumoconiosis or suspicious pneumoconiosis were detected. By PFT, 62 cases(29.5%) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) among 210 asymptomatic subjects were detected. Finally, by chest CT we concluded 28 cases to be pneumoconiosis, and eight cases among them proved to be pneumoconiosis by environmental exposure. Conclusions: Through this study, we concluded that health outcomes such as respiratory symptoms, pneumoconiosis, and COPD were caused by continuous exposure to dusts from the briquette fuel complex. Policies to reduce environmental exposure are needed, and cases of environmental disease should be intensively followed up by the government.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.392-404
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• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.