Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Association between seafood consumption and serum polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations among Korean adolescents: the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 5, 2021–2023: Hyun Joong Kim, Yongjin Kim, Dong-jae Seo, Jaewon Mun, Sunwoo Jeong, Shin-Goo Park, Yangwoo Kim, Hwan-Cheol Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e38. Published online August 20, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e38

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants commonly found in seafood; however, evidence of dietary ingestion among adolescents remains limited. We aimed to evaluate the association between seafood consumption and serum PFAS concentrations among Korean adolescents.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used data from the fifth Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS, 2021–2023). We included 827 adolescents aged 12–18 years. Serum concentrations of five PFAS compounds (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [PFOS], perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid [PFNA], and perfluorodecanoic acid [PFDeA]) were measured. Seafood consumption was assessed using a questionnaire and categorized as rarely consumed, monthly consumption, or weekly consumption. Complex sample general linear models were performed using log-transformed PFAS concentrations.
Results
Compared with the rarely consumed group, weekly fish consumption was significantly associated with higher serum concentrations of PFOA (B = 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46–1.83; p = 0.001), PFOS (B = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.23–3.05; p < 0.001), PFNA (B = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.14–0.42; p < 0.001), and PFDeA (B = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05–0.23; p = 0.004), whereas monthly fish consumption was associated with higher PFOS and PFNA. Crustacean consumption showed positive associations with PFOA (B = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.57–1.63; p < 0.001), PFOS (B = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.24–1.61; p = 0.009), PFNA (B = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08–0.28; p < 0.001), and PFDeA (B = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05–0.16; p < 0.001) in the monthly group, whereas associations were attenuated in the weekly group. No significant associations were observed for large fish and tuna, seaweed, shellfish, or other seafood.
Conclusions
Fish and crustacean consumption were associated with serum PFAS concentrations among Korean adolescents, whereas other seafood types showed no significant associations. Future prospective studies with more detailed dietary assessments are warranted to clarify causal relationships.; 한국 청소년의 해산물 섭취와 혈중 PFAS 농도의 관련성: 제 5기 국민환경보건기초조사 자료 분석 (2021-2023)
목적
과불화화합물(Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS)은 환경 내 분해가 어려운 잔류성 유기오염물질로, 인체내 축적된 PFAS는 다양한 건강 문제와 연관된 것으로 보고되고 있다. 해산물 섭취는 PFAS의 주요 노출 경로 중 하나로 알려져 있으나, 청소년을 대상으로 한 연구는 제한적이다. 본 연구는 한국 청소년에서 해산물 섭취와 혈중 PFAS 농도의 관련성을 평가하고자 하였다.
방법
본 연구는 제5기 국민환경보건기초조사(2021-2023) 자료를 활용한 단면연구로 수행되었다. 12-18세 청소년 827명을 대상으로 하였으며, 혈중 PFAS 5종(PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDeA) 농도를 분석하였다. 해산물 섭취는 설문조사를 통해 평가하였으며, 거의 섭취하지 않는 군, 월 1회 이상 섭취 군, 주 1회 이상 섭취 군으로 분류하였다. 복합표본 선형회귀분석을 통해 PFAS 농도와의 관련성을 분석하였다.
결과
생선류 섭취는 주 1회 이상 섭취군에서 PFOA(B=1.15, 95% CI: 0.46-1.83, p=0.001), PFOS(B=2.14, 95% CI:1.23-3.05, p<0.001), PFNA(B=0.28, 95% CI:0.14-0.42, p<0.001), PFDeA(B=0.14, 95% CI:0.05-0.23, p=0.004) 농도 증가와 유의한 관련성을 보였다. 갑각류 섭취 또한 월 1회 이상 섭취군에서 PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDeA 농도 증가와 관련되었다. 반면 대형어류 및 참치류, 해조류, 패류 및 기타 해산물 섭취는 혈중 PFAS 농도와 유의한 관련성을 보이지 않았다.
결론
한국 청소년에서 생선류 섭취는 혈중 PFAS 농도 증가와 관련이 있었다. 본 연구 결과는 생선류 섭취가 청소년의 PFAS 노출에 기여함을 시사하며, 향후 정밀한 식이 평가를 포함한 전향적 연구를 통해 인과관계를 규명할 필요가 있다.

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Original Article

Association between delivery-food consumption frequency and urinary bisphenol concentrations among Korean adults: a nationally representative study (Korean National Environmental Health Survey cycle 5, 2021–2023): Gwisang Park, Hyeyun Lee, Inchul Jeong, Eunhee Ha, Kihun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e37. Published online July 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e37

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Bisphenol exposure remains a public health concern, particularly as the use of bisphenol analogues such as bisphenol S (BPS) has increased. In the post-pandemic period, delivery-food consumption has become routine in South Korea and may represent an important behavioral pathway for bisphenol exposure. This study examined whether delivery-food consumption in plastic containers is associated with urinary bisphenols among Korean adults.
Methods
This study used adult data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 5 (2021–2023). Delivery-food consumption frequency (nine categories) was modeled per 1-time-per-month increase. Outcomes were urinary bisphenol A (BPA), BPS, and bisphenol F (BPF). Creatinine-adjusted concentrations were analyzed on the natural log scale using multivariable regression models. Model 1 adjusted for sociodemographic factors, and model 2 additionally adjusted for plastic-related behavioral variables.
Results
Among 4,275 adults with complete bisphenol and urinary creatinine data, delivery-food consumption frequency was positively associated with creatinine-adjusted urinary BPS concentrations (1.49% increase per 1-time-per-month increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–2.24; p < 0.001) after sociodemographic adjustment, whereas associations with BPA (0.32% increase; 95% CI, −0.45 to 1.09; p = 0.416) and BPF (−0.14% change; 95% CI: −1.18 to 0.90; p = 0.787) were not statistically significant. After additional adjustment for plastic-related behavioral variables in model 2, the association remained statistically significant for BPS (1.54%; 95% CI, 0.76–2.33; p < 0.001), whereas the associations with BPA and BPF remained non-significant.
Conclusions
More frequent consumption of delivery foods packaged in plastic containers was independently associated with higher creatinine-adjusted urinary BPS concentrations. Given that common delivery container polymers in Korea are generally bisphenol-free, this association suggests that delivery-related behavior serves as a behavioral surrogate for a bundled exposure scenario. The observed BPS signal may partly reflect cumulative exposure from ancillary materials, such as thermal receipts and labels. Future studies should identify specific delivery-associated sources and migration pathways of bisphenols.; 배달음식 섭취 빈도와 소변 비스페놀 농도의 관련성: 국민환경보건기초조사 제5기(2021–2023)를 이용한 전국 대표성 성인 연구
목적
비스페놀 노출은 여전히 중요한 공중보건 문제이며, 최근 비스페놀 S(BPS) 등 비스페놀 유사체의 사용이 증가하고 있다. 코로나19 이후 국내에서 배달음식 섭취가 일상화되면서, 이러한 섭취 행동은 비스페놀 노출의 중요한 행동학적 경로가 될 수 있다. 본 연구는 플라스틱 용기에 포장된 배달음식 섭취가 국내 성인의 소변 비스페놀과 관련되는지 평가하였다.
방법
본 연구는 국민환경보건기초조사 5기(2021–2023) 성인 자료를 이용하였다. 배달음식 섭취 빈도(9개 범주)는 월 1회 증가 단위로 모델링하였다. 결과변수는 소변 비스페놀 A(BPA), BPS, 비스페놀 F(BPF)였으며, 크레아티닌 보정 농도를 자연로그 변환하여 다변량 회귀분석을 시행하였다. 모델 1은 사회인구학적 요인을 보정하였고, 모델 2는 플라스틱 관련 행동 변수를 추가로 보정하였다.
결과
비스페놀 및 소변 크레아티닌 자료가 모두 있는 성인 4,275명을 분석하였다. 배달음식 섭취 빈도는 사회인구학적 요인 보정 후 크레아티닌 보정 소변 BPS 농도와 유의한 양의 관련성을 보였으며, 월 1회 증가당 1.49% 증가하였다(95% 신뢰구간, 0.74–2.24; p < 0.001). 반면 BPA(0.32%; 95% 신뢰구간, −0.45–1.09; p = 0.416)와 BPF(−0.14%; 95% 신뢰구간, −1.18–0.90; p = 0.787)는 유의한 관련성을 보이지 않았다. 모델 2에서 플라스틱 관련 행동 변수를 추가로 보정한 후에도 BPS와의 관련성은 통계적으로 유의하게 유지되었으며(1.54%; 95% 신뢰구간, 0.76–2.33; p < 0.001), BPA와 BPF는 여전히 유의하지 않았다.
결론
플라스틱 용기에 포장된 배달음식을 더 자주 섭취하는 행동은 크레아티닌 보정 소변 BPS 농도 증가와 독립적으로 관련되었다. 국내 주요 배달용기 재질이 일반적으로 비스페놀을 포함하지 않는다는 점을 고려할 때, 이러한 관련성은 배달 관련 행동이 복합 노출 시나리오의 행동학적 대리 지표로 작용할 수 있음을 시사한다. 관찰된 BPS 신호는 감열지 영수증이나 라벨과 같은 부속 재료로부터의 누적 노출을 일부 반영할 수 있다. 향후 연구에서는 배달 관련 비스페놀 노출원과 이행 경로를 구체적으로 규명할 필요가 있다.

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Research Article

The associations between blood mercury levels and shark meat intake among workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do: Gun Il Park, Young Seok Byun, Man Joong Jeon, Joon Sakong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:29. Published online June 27, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0185-9

Abstract PDF

Background

Shark meat is used as sacrificial food in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and is a major source of dietary mercury. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of shark meat intake or the ritual of Jesa on blood mercury levels within workers living in Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Methods

This study was conducted from September 2016 to October 2016 in two cities of Gyeongsangbuk-do. To compare the differences between urban and rural areas, two workplaces each in Daegu as the urban area and Yeongcheon as the rural area were selected. General characteristics and characteristics related to shark meat consumption of the workers were acquired by personal interviews during their health examination. Blood mercury concentrations were analyzed by the gold amalgamation method using a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80; Milestone Inc., Shelton, CT, USA).

Results

The shark consumption group had a higher blood mercury concentration than the non-consumption group. The levels of blood mercury increased with the frequency, annual intake, as well as most recent date of shark meat consumption. Moreover, the levels of mercury in blood increased according to the annual frequency of participation in Jesa (times per year) and the annual frequency of shark meat consumption during Jesa (times per year).

Conclusions

Shark meat intake and the ritual of Jesa contributed to an increase in the blood mercury levels of workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dietary exposure, occupational as well as other factors that may influence blood mercury concentrations in workers during their health examination, particularly in regions with high mercury exposures.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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