Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Association between urinary PAH metabolites and the prevalence of respiratory disease in residents living near Pohang Industrial Complex: Minji Kim, Sangwoo Lim, Seongrok Kim, Jea Chul Ha, Hyunjoo Kim, Insung Chung; Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e27. Published online September 22, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e27

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF: Background
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are generated from the incomplete combustion of organic materials such as fossil fuels and wood. These compounds, often inhaled, cause respiratory issues like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to oxidative stress and inflammation. Pohang, South Korea’s iron and steel hub, experiences significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions from extensive industrial activities and heavy truck movements. This study investigates the link between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites and respiratory diseases among Pohang residents, considering their cumulative exposure and duration of residency.
Methods
Utilizing data from the National Environmental Research Institute’s health impact assessment conducted between 2012 and 2015, this study included 1,189 participants from Pohang. Urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites served as exposure indicators. The study assessed the correlation between these metabolite levels and self-reported respiratory diseases, considering variables such as duration of residence, smoking status, and occupational exposures. Statistical analyses involved logistic regression and fixed-effect meta-analysis.
Results
The findings indicate a significant association between elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites and an increased risk of respiratory diseases, particularly among those in the highest exposure quartile. The study also found a notable dose-response relationship, emphasizing the heightened risk with longer residency durations near the industrial complex. Despite yearly fluctuations, the trend suggests a persistent risk associated with high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure.
Conclusions
Elevated exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near industrial areas such as the Pohang Industrial Complex is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases. The study underscores the importance of implementing public health strategies to reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure, especially in industrial regions. Future research should broaden the scope of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites analyzed and consider comprehensive exposure histories to better understand the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and respiratory health outcomes.; 포항 산업 단지 인근 거주 주민의 요중 PAH 대사물 노출과 호흡기 질환 유병률 간의 연관성
목적
철강 산업은 다양한 유해물질, 특히 다환방향족탄화수소를 방출하는 주요 공해 원인이다. 대한민국 포항은 이러한 산업의 중심지로, 인근 주민의 건강에 다환방향족탄화수소 노출이 미치는 영향을 연구하기에 이상적인 장소이다. 본 연구는 포항 산업 단지 근처에 거주하는 개인들 사이에서 다환방향족탄화수소 노출과 호흡기 질환의 유병률 간의 관계를 평가하고자 한다.
방법
2012년부터 2015년까지 국립환경연구원의 건강 영향 평가 자료를 활용하여, 포항에 거주하는 1,189명의 참가자를 대상으로 연구를 진행하였다. 다환방향족탄화수소 대사물 농도를 노출 지표로 사용하였으며, 이러한 대사물 수준과 자가보고 된 호흡기 질환 사이의 상관관계를 평가하였다. 이 때 거주기간, 흡연상태, 직업노출 등의 변수를 고려하였다. 통계분석에는 로지스틱 회귀분석 및 고정 효과 메타분석이 사용되었다.
결과
소변 내 다환방향족탄화수소 대사물 수준이 높을수록 호흡기 질환 위험이 증가하는 연관성이 발견되었으며, 특히 가장 높은 노출 분위에 속한 참가자들에서 그 위험이 크게 나타났다. 이 연구는 장기간에 걸친 고농도 다환방향족탄화수소 노출이 호흡기 건강에 미치는 심각한 위험을 강조한다.
결론
본 연구는 포항 산업 단지와 같은 산업 지역에서 소변 내 다환방향족탄화수소 대사물 노출이 심각한 건강 위험과 관련이 있음을 강조한다. 연구의 지리적 초점은 산업 단지 인근 거주자들이 환경 유해물질에 취약하다는 점을 보여주며, 이는 표적 공중 보건 개입의 필요성을 시사한다. 공기 정화 시스템 개선, 배출 기준 강화, 환경을 고려한 도시 계획과 같은 전략이 필수적이다.

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Original Article

Particulate matter concentration effects on attention to environmental issues: a cross-sectional study among residents in Korea’s Pohang Industrial Complex: Hye-seung Ryu, Jea Chul Ha, Insung Chung, Seonhee Yang, Hyunjoo Kim, Sung-Deuk Choi; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e31. Published online August 10, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e31

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material

Background

With modernization, air pollution has become increasingly serious, and its effects on health have been revealed. As a result, public interest in environmental pollution has become critical for regulating air pollution. In our study, we aim to evaluate the impact of air pollution levels on public attention to environmental issues and examine whether awareness of the residential environment’s impact on health acts as a mediator in this relationship.

Methods

We conducted an analysis on 400 individuals surveyed in the preliminary feasibility study on adverse health effects in the Pohang Industrial Complex, to examine the relationship between particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and attention to environmental issues. Logistic regression analysis was performed, and mediation analysis was used to determine whether awareness of the residential environment’s impact on health mediated the relationship.

Results

The logistic regression analysis results showed that PM2.5 levels were associated with attention to environmental issues (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–3.5; p = 0.003) and awareness of health impacts (AOR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.6–7.1; p = 0.001). The PM2.5 levels showed 9.9% (95% CI: 5.4–14.0) increase in the prevalence of high attention to environmental issues, of which, only 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2–2.3) were mediated by health impact awareness. In the overall analysis, 10% of the total effect of PM2.5 on attention to environmental issues was mediated by health impact awareness.

Conclusions

According to this study’s results, there was a correlation between air pollution levels and attention to environmental issues. Awareness of the health impacts of air pollution partially mediated the effect of air pollution levels on attention to environmental issues. In future studies, it is recommended to identify other mediators to further understand this structure.

미세먼지(Particular matter)농도가 환경문제에 대한 관심에 미치는 영향 : 포항시 거주민을 대상으로 한 단면연구
목적
근현대화가 진행되어오면서 대기오염은 심각해지고 대기오염에 의한 건강영향이 밝혀지면서 대기오염을 규제하기위해 환경오염에 대한 대중의 관심도가 중요해졌다. 이번 연구에서는 대기오염 수치가 환경오염에 대한 관심도에 미치는 영향을 평가하고 그 구조로써 건강영향에 대한 인식이 매개체로써 작용하는지 탐구하고자 하였다.
방법
포항 산업단지 건강피해 예비타당성 위해소통 설문조사에서 파악된 400명에 대하여 분석을 시행하였다. PM2.5와 환경오염에 대한 관심의 관계에 대해서 보기위해 로지스틱 회귀분석을 시행하였고, 그 구조를 파악하기 위해 매개분석을 사용하여 건강영향에 대한 인식이 매개체로써 작용하는지 확인하였다.
결과
로지스틱 분석 결과 PM2.5 수치는 환경에 대한 관심과 관련이 있었고([AOR]: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.5, P = 0.003), 건강영향에 대한 인식도와도 관련이 있었다(AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6, 7.1, P = 0.001). PM2.5수치는 전체 환경에 대한 관심도에 비교위험(%)이 9.9 (95 % CI: 5.4, 14.0)인데 전체에서 1.0 (95 % CI: 0.2, 2.3) 만이 건강영향 인식도에 의해 매개되는 비교위험이다. 전체 분석 결과에서 PM2.5가 환경에 대한 관심에 미치는 전체 영향의 10%가 건강영향 인식에 매개되었다.
결론
연구결과에 따르면 대기오염 수준은 환경오염에 대한 관심도와 관련이 있었다. 건강영향에 대한 인식은 대기오염수준이 환경오염에 대한 관심도에 미치는 영향의 일부를 매개하였다.

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Research Article

Levels of blood lead and urinary cadmium in industrial complex residents in Ulsan: Sang Hoon Kim, Yang Ho Kim, Hyun Chan An, Joo Hyun Sung, Chang Sun Sim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:26. Published online June 26, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0179-7

Abstract PDF

Background

Populations neighboring industrial complexes are at an increased health risk, due to constant exposure to various potentially hazardous compounds released during industrial production activity. Although there are many previous studies that focus on occupational exposure to heavy metals, studies that focused on environmental exposure to lead and cadmium are relatively rare. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent of the environmental exposure of heavy metals in residents of industrial area.

Methods

Four areas in close proximity to the Ulsan petrochemical industrial complex and the Onsan national industrial complex were selected to be included in the exposure group, and an area remotely located from these industrial complexes was selected as the non-exposure group. Among the residents of our study areas, a total of 1573 subjects aged 20 years and older were selected and all study subjects completed a written questionnaire. Blood and urine samples were obtained from about one third of the subjects (465 subjects) who provided informed consent for biological sample collection. Total 429 subjects (320 subjects from exposure area, 109 subjects from non-exposure area) were included in final analysis.

Results

The geometric mean blood lead level among the subjects in the exposed group was 2.449 μg/dL, which was significantly higher than the non-exposure group’s level of 2.172 μg/dL. Similarly, the geometric mean urine cadmium levels between the two groups differed significantly, at 1.077 μg/g Cr. for the exposed group, and 0.709 μg/g Cr. for the non-exposure group.

In a multiple linear regression analysis to determine the relationship between blood lead level and related factors, the results showed that blood lead level had a significant positive correlation with age, the male, exposure area, and non-drinkers. In the same way, urine cadmium level was positively correlated with age, the female, exposure area, and smokers.

Conclusions

This study found that blood lead levels and urine cadmium levels were significantly higher among the residents of industrial areas than among the non-exposure area residents, which is thought to be due to the difference in environmental exposure of lead and cadmium. Furthermore, it was clear that at a low level of exposure, differences in blood lead or urine cadmium levels based on age, gender, and smoking status were greater than the differences based on area of residence. Therefore, when evaluating heavy metal levels in the body at a low level of exposure, age, gender, and smoking status must be adjusted, as they are significant confounding factors.

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