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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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The Health Effects of Formaldehyde during an Anatomy Dissection Course
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Si Young Park, Chang Yoon Kim, Joo Young Kim, Joon Sakong
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):171-178. Published online September 30, 2006
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.171
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Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the acute health effect of formaldehyde during an anatomy dissection course.
METHODS
The formaldehyde concentrations in a gross anatomy laboratory were measured and analyzed during an anatomy dissection course attended by eighty medical students. The Pulmonary Function Test and three tests of the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test (digit classification, digit addition and symbol digit) were given to thirty of the eighty medical students at the pre- and post-exposure. A questionnaire survey was administered to the eighty medical students at the pre- and post-exposure.
RESULTS
The differences in the mean FVC and FEV(1) were statistically significant (p<0.01) at the preand post-exposure. In the low exposed group (<2 ppm), only the decreases in FEV(1) on post-exposure were statistically significant (p<0.05) compared with FEV(1) on pre-exposure. In the high exposed group (> or = 2 ppm), decreases in both FVC and FEV(1) on post-exposure were statistically significant (p<0.05). The overall performance on the digit classification, digit addition and symbol digit of the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test on post-exposure was lower than that on pre-exposure. In the low exposed group, the performances on the digit classification and symbol digit were lower than those on pre-exposure. In the high exposed group, the performances on digit classification, digit addition and symbol digit were lower than those on pre-exposure. Complaints involving the eyes, nose and throat increased substantially on post-practice compared with pre-practice in both groups. There were statistically significant differences in the complaints involving the eyes, nose and throat between the pre-practice and post-practice in both groups (p<0.05). There were more complaints in the high exposed group than in the low exposed group.
CONCLUSIONS
Formaldehyde exposure during a dissection can decrease the pulmonary function and neurobehavioral performance, and can increase the complaints involving the eyes, nose and throat. The effect on the symptoms, pulmonary function and neurobehavioral performance is positively correlated with the formaldehyde level.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Safety and Management Status of Anatomical Labs in Medical Schools
Jae-Hee Park, Kwang-Rak Park, An-Na Bae, Han-Gyu Jeong, Jae-Ho Lee
Keimyung Medical Journal.2022; 41(2): 76. CrossRef - Does formaldehyde have a causal association with nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia?
Soon-Chan Kwon, Inah Kim, Jaechul Song, Jungsun Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef - The effect of formaldehyde on neurobehavioral performance of student during cadaver dissection
Yong Sakong, Hee-Yoon Jo, In-Gook Lee, Kyeong-Soo Lee, Man-Joong Jun
Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine.2016; 33(2): 85. CrossRef - A Review on Chemical Exposure and Related Health Risks in Laboratory Workers
Hyae-Jeong Byun, Jeong-Im Park
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2010; 36(6): 441. 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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