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The Effects of Indoor Air Quality on the Neurobehavioral Performance of Elementary School Children
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Dae Seop Kim, Sun Ju Kim, Si Young Park, Man Joong Jeon, Gyu Tae Kim, Chang Yoon Kim, Jong Hak Chung, Sung Ok Baek, Joon Sakong
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(1):65-72. Published online March 31, 2007
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.1.65
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 Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
Most studies on the indoor air quality of newly built schools have focused only on the number of schools exceeding a standard or on subjective symptoms, such as sneezing, irritated eyes and an irritated nose. However, there has been no report on how poor indoor air quality affects children's academic performance. This study evaluated the effects of indoor air quality on the neurobehavioral performance of elementary school children.
METHODS
This study measured the indoor air pollutants and compared children's performance, using a computerized neurobehavioral test, between a newly built and a 12-year-old school. In addition, a questionnaire was administered regarding the indoor air quality related symptoms of children in a newly built and a 12-year-old school.
RESULTS
In the newly built school, the formaldehyde levels in the 1st and 4th classes with an open window were 34.6 and 27.3 microgram/m3, respectively. The levels in the 1st and 4th classes with the window closed were 80.2 and 127.1 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 12-year-old school, the formaldehyde levels in 1st and 4th class with open and closed window were 12.6 and 7.5 microgram/m3, and 19.8 and 25.2 microgram/m3, respectively. With respect to total volatile organic compounds, the levels in the 1st and 4th classes with the window open in the newly built school were 87.2 and 428.2 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 1st and 4th classes with the window closed, the total volatile organic compounds were 1,283.5 and 1,715.4 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 12-year-old school, the total volatile organic compounds were 240.9 and 150.8 microgram/m3, and 371.9 and 448.0 microgram/m3 in the 1st and 4th classes, respectively. In the case of a newly built school, the performance of the students in the neurobehavioral test in the 4th class with the window closed was 8.3% lower than for those in the 1st class with the window closed, but was only 5.9% lower when the windows were open. There was a statistical significant difference in the total numbers of symptoms between the two schools.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a proper evaluation of the indoor air quality within schools is required into both the level of contamination and the health effects of these contaminants toward children.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Performance assessment on the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test using a mobile device and a conventional computer: an experimental study
Young Seok Byun, Sung Kyu Park, Joon Sakong, Man Joong Jeon
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef - Occupational Neurologic Disorders in Korea
Yangho Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yong-Hun Yun, Myoung-Soon Oh
Journal of Clinical Neurology.2010; 6(2): 64. CrossRef
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Blood Pb, Urine Cd and Health Assessment of Residents in the Vicinity of Abandoned Mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Jong Hak Chung, Pock Soo Kang, Chang Yoon Kim, Kyung Soo Lee, Tae Yoon Hwang, Gyu Tae Kim, Jong Seo Park, Si Young Park, Dae Seop Kim, Ou Taek Lim, Joon Sakong
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):225-237. Published online September 30, 2005
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.225
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Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
The objective of this health assessment is to evaluate the health risks that may result from exposure to abandoned mine tailings in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1930's until 1970.
METHODS
The soil, stream water, and drinking water in and around three abandoned mine areas, Soochul, Gumjang, Darock, and three control areas located in Gyeongsangbuk-do were analyzed for level of Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg. Potential chronic health effects were evaluated by interview and medical examination.
RESULTS
Some soil and stream samples exceeded the Korean standard for soil contamination in farmland and the Korean standard of water contamination in streams respectively. Blood lead (5.37 microgram/dl) and urine cadmium (2.79 microgram/g Cr) levels of the residents in the vicinity of the abandoned mine sites were significantly higher than of the residents in the control areas (blood lead, 4.34 microgram/dl; urine cadmium, 1.62 microgram/g Cr). There were no significant differences between the mining and control areas in terms of blood pressure, Hb, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, fasting blood sugar, and the prevalence of potential chronic diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the assessment suggested that the three abandoned mine sites do not pose an apparent health risk to nearby residents. Nevertheless, the elevated blood lead and urine cadmium levels in the residents of the abandoned mine site suggested that it might be an important source of heavy metals contamination. Therefore, a nationwide evaluation program is needed to assess the potential health risks of residents living in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Bioaccumulation of Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in a Mining Area and Its Associated Health Effects
Ulziikhishig Surenbaatar, Seungho Lee, Jung-Yeon Kwon, Hyunju Lim, Jeong-Jin Kim, Young-Hun Kim, Young-Seoub Hong
Toxics.2023; 11(6): 519. CrossRef - Association between levels of exposure to heavy metals and renal function indicators of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas
Jung-Yeon Kwon, Seungho Lee, Ulziikhishig Surenbaatar, Hyoun-Ju Lim, Byoung-Gwon Kim, Sang-Yong Eom, Yong Min Cho, Woo Jin Kim, Byeng-Chul Yu, Kwan Lee, Young-Seoub Hong
Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Association of Blood Heavy Metal Levels and Renal Function in Korean Adults
Yoonjin Park, Su-Jung Lee
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(11): 6646. CrossRef - Potential of biochar for clean-up of heavy metal contaminated soil and water
Adaobi Onmonya Yvonne, Galadima Adamu Sadiq, Sadiq Maryam
African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.2022; 16(4): 146. CrossRef - A review on heavy metal and metalloid contamination of vegetables: addressing the global safe food security concern
Sweta, Bhaskar Singh
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry.2022; : 1. CrossRef - Exposure factors of cadmium for residents in an abandoned metal mine area in Korea
Seung Chul Ahn, Jun Young Chang, Jung Sub Lee, Hwa Yon Yu, A-Ra Jung, Jee-Young Kim, Jong-Woo Choi, Young-Seoub Hong, Seung Do Yu, Kyounghee Choi
Environmental Geochemistry and Health.2017; 39(5): 1059. CrossRef - Time trend of cadmium intake in Korea
Chan-Seok Moon, Hye-Ran Yang, Haruo Nakatsuka, Masayuki Ikeda
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2016; 21(3): 118. CrossRef - Measuring the Environmental Burden of Disease in South Korea: A Population-Based Study
Seok-Jun Yoon, Hyeong-Su Kim, Jongsik Ha, Eun-Jung Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2015; 12(7): 7938. CrossRef - Blood Cadmium Concentration of Residents Living near Abandoned Metal Mines in Korea
Young-Seoub Hong, Byung-Kook Lee, Jung-Duck Park, Joon Sakong, Jae-Wook Choi, Jai-Dong Moon, Dae-Seon Kim, Byoung-Gwon Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(5): 633. CrossRef - Association of arsenic levels in soil and water with urinary arsenic concentration of residents in the vicinity of closed metal mines
YongMin Cho, SungChul Seo, Seung-Hyun Choi, SeungKil Lee, KyungHee Kim, Hae-Joon Kim, Jae-Wook Choi
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2013; 216(3): 255. CrossRef - Relationship between Urine Cadmium and Bone Mineral Density of Residents Around Abandoned Metal Mines
Kyung-Sick Jung, Nam-Soo Kim, Seung-Chul Ahn, Byung-Kook Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2012; 38(4): 323. CrossRef - The association of heavy metals in blood, fish consumption frequency, and risk of cardiovascular diseases among Korean adults: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010)
Ji-Ye Shin, Ji-Myung Kim, Yuri Kim
Korean Journal of Nutrition.2012; 45(4): 347. CrossRef - Blood lead levels of residents living around 350 abandoned metal mines in Korea
Nam-Soo Kim, Joon Sakong, Jae-Wook Choi, Young-Seoub Hong, Jai-Dong Moon, Byung-Kook Lee
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.2012; 184(7): 4139. CrossRef - The Effect of Exposure Factors on the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Residents Near Abandoned Metal Mines
Sanghoo Kim, Yong-Min Cho, Seung-Hyun Choi, Hae-Joon Kim, Jaewook Choi
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2011; 44(1): 41. CrossRef - Lessons of Goseong Abandoned Metal Mine Accident
Ho-Jang Kwon
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(5): 335. CrossRef - Relationship between Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Soil with the Blood and Urine of Residents around Abandoned Metal Mines
Bong-Ki Jang, Sang-Il Park, Nam-Soo Kim, Kyung-Sick Jung, Byung-Kook Lee, Jong-Wha Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(5): 348. CrossRef - Blood Lead Level in Populations Resident in Some Abandoned Mine Area
Sun-Ho Song, Sang-Yong Eom, Yong-Dae Kim, Heon Kim, Jang-Soo Hong
Journal of Environmental Science International.2010; 19(4): 527. CrossRef - Investigation on Health Effects of an Abandoned Metal Mine
Soyeon Kim, Ho-Jang Kwon, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Kyungho Choi, Jae-Yeon Jang, Woo-Chul Jeong, Dae-Seon Kim, Seungdo Yu, Young-Wook Kim, Kwang-Young Lee, Seoung-Oh Yang, Ik Jae Jhung, Won-Ho Yang, Yun-Chul Hong
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2008; 23(3): 452. CrossRef
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Effect of the Type of Computer on Computerized Neurobehavioral Performance Tests
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Gyu Tae Kim, Chang Yoon Kim, Joon Sakong
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(3):276-286. Published online September 30, 2004
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.3.276
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Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
It is difficult to carry and set up a large numbers of computers when computerized neurobehavioral tests are performed to many subjects. There are difficulties in mobilizing and resetting desktop computers and so, the use of desktop computers will decrease due to the recent increasing popularity of laptop computers. However, it is essential that there is no difference between the tests performed on a laptop and on a desktop computer. This study was conducted to estimate the effect that the type of computer has on computerized neurobehavioral performance tests.
METHODS
Three types of computers were applied. Type 1 was a normal laptop computer. Type 2 was a laptop computer that was remodeled and equipped with a modified keyboard. A common desktop computer with a remodeled keyboard as type 3. The computerized tests included Simple Reaction Time, Choice Reaction Time, Symbol Digit, and Finger Tapping Speed. A total of 60 subjects were examined by the identical tester in the same testing conditions. The computers were randomly allocated, which were used in the test and let examinees take tests with the separate computers.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences among the computers for the results of the Simple Reaction Time and Finger Tapping Speed tests. The mean reaction time, error number of Choice Reaction Time and mean reaction time, correct mean reaction time, error number of Symbol Digit produced significantly different results among the three types of computers.
CONCLUSION
This study indicates that with only a laptop computer the Simple Reaction Time test using the space bar was useful. But with the laptop computer, the Choice Reaction Time test using the four-direction key and the Symbol Digit test using the upper end number key were unsuitable. The keyboard should be developed further for the Choice Reaction Time and Symbol Digit tests. Among the three computers, we recommend the use of the desktop computer with the remodeled keyboard which the examinees are familiar with and the laptop computer with the remodeled keyboard.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Performance assessment on the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test using a mobile device and a conventional computer: an experimental study
Young Seok Byun, Sung Kyu Park, Joon Sakong, Man Joong Jeon
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef - Effects of computer familiarity and computer type on the performance of Korean computerized neurobehavioral test
Nak Joon Baek, Gun Il Park, Young Seok Byun, Man Joong Jeon, Joon Sakong
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
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Impact of Subject and Time Related Factors on Reliability of Neurobehavioral Tests
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Joon Sakong, Man Joong Jeon, Nak Jung Sung, Gyu Tae Kim
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(2):188-195. Published online June 30, 2003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.2.188
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Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to select neurobehavioral tests that are more reliable and less affected by subjects characteristics and test conditions.
METHODS
Five computerized and five traditional neurobehavioral tests and retests were administered to 85 medical school students and 35 hospital workers. The computerized tests consisted of the Simple Reaction Time, Addition, Symbol Digit, Digit Span, and Finger Tapping Speed, while the traditional tests comprised the Benton Visual Retention test, Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Pursuit Aiming, and pegboard. In addition, the effects of various factors on the reliability of the neurobehavioral tests, including age, sex, educational level, computer familiarity, test intervals, and test time of day, were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Among the computerized neurobehavioral tests, the reliability of Addition, Symbol Digit, Digit Span, and Finger Tapping Speed were not affected significantly by age, sex, test interval, or computer familiarity. It was found that Finger Tapping Speed is not affected by educational level. When the time of retest was incongruous with the time of the first test, test-retest reliability was lower in most neurobehavioral tests except computerized Addition, Digit Span, and Finger Tapping Speed, and traditional Symbol Digit.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the computerized Addition, Symbol digit, Digit Span, and Finger Tapping Speed, and the traditional Digit Symbol are more satisfactory for our purposes. These results should facilitate selection of the most appropriate tests for periodical evaluation of the central nervous system of workers exposed to neurotoxic substances in Korea.
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