• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2004

As there have been growing concerns about the adverse effects of air pollution on birth outcome, studies for this area has been carried out in different populations and sites. We reviewed the epidemiologic studies that evaluated the effects of air pollution on birth outcome such as low birth weight and preterm births. We identified the air pollution exposure during pregnancy was related with low birth weight and preterm birth, although there are differences among studies for the critical period of vulnerability. The biological mechanisms whereby air pollution might influence health of fetus are not clearly established. The exposure to carbon monoxide(CO) during pregnancy could increase fetal carboxyhemoglobin and result in tissue hypoxia. On the other hand, ambient particles less than $10{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter($PM_{10}$) could lead to inflammation and increase blood viscosity. Controlling for potential confounders and valid assessment of exposure are the methodological issues remained in these epidemiologic studies. In the future, more studies are needed to investigate the effect of air pollution on preterm birth or stillbirths, considering the various exposure period and the biological mechanism.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.419-424
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• 2005

In recent years, dioxins which were designated as persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disrupters are treated as substance of environmental pollution and studied about human health risk assessment, emission pollutants estimation, analytical methods and so on. It is easy that dioxins are accumulated to soil because of the atmosphere circulation of burning up the waste. This is the comparative studies on the distribution relationship of dioxin isomers in exhausted gas of industrial waste and urban waste incinerators, ambient air and soil. A basis of PCDDs and PCDFs based on OCDD was drawn up to the curve and they correspond to dioxin isomers in exhausted gas of industrial waste and urban waste incinerators and ambient air. On comparing these results, It was found that the ambient air and exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators were very similar in curve and ratio. Consequently, environmental by exposed dioxin depends on the exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators than urban waste incinerators. In case of soil, even though we can not completely rule out the possibility of pollution source bring on pesticide and other factors, and naturally biological dissociations, the curve shape is very similar to exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators and ambient air. So, we inform here that it was mainly caused by these environmental factors.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2003

We have gathered exposure data on ambient air quality level and investigated dose-response slope factors of air pollutants such as fine particle, HAPs (metals, VOCs, PAHs) and dioxins in Seoul. Theoretical mortality incidences were estimated from exposure to these pollutants. From the results, priorities were ranked in the order fine particle, metals, VOCs, dioxins and PAHs by ordinal scale, and the uncertainties relative to those risk estimates were described.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.348-349
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• 2001

휘발성유기화합물 (VOCs)은 복잡 다양한 발생원에서 배출되고 있다. 1990년에 개정된 미국 공기청정법 (US Clean Air Act Amendments, CAAA)에서는 총 189개의 화합물을 인간환경에 유해한 유해 대기 오염물질 (HAP, hazordous air pollutants)로 분류하고 있다 (MacKensie, A.R 등, 1991). 이 중 미국 EPA에서는 유해 대기오염물질로서 43개의 VOCs를 정하여, TO-14 화합물로서 일컫고 있다 (허귀석, 1999). (중략)

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.41-44
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• 2010

Hazardous air pollutants such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzene, formaldehyde have been concerned about the adverse health effect of long-term exposure. Contour map is useful for finding high-concentration region, emission source, and distributions of HAPs in the ambient air. To make a contour map, we have developed simple analytical method for selected HAPs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as BaP, benzene and its derivatives such as toluene and xylene, and aldehydes and ketones. We have applied these methods to investigate air pollution by HAPs in some cities in Japan. The results show that these methods reveal actual emission sources if the PRTR emission report was not submitted.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the effect of air pollution on the daily respiratory symptoms of elementary school children in Seoul. Methods : Using the panel study design, we collected diary data for the children's respiratory symptoms during the 1st day$\sim$15th day of April, July, October and December in 2003 among the 2nd and 3rd grade elementary school students. We merged the respiratory symptom data with the ambient air pollution data that was monitored by Ministry of Environment. Using a generalized estimate equation, we evaluated the relationship between the daily symptoms of the subjects and the exposure to ai r pollution after controlling for various potential confounders. Results : The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure of the current day significantly increased the upper respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24) and the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.18, 95% CI=1.06-1.31) in the elementary school children. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in the current day was associated with the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.25 for SO2; adjusted odds ratio=1.16, 95% CI=1.02-1.32 for CO). Conclusions : We found that exposure to air pollution affects the daily respiratory symptoms in children. This study suggests that the effect on children's health? due to the short term changes in air pollution levels needs to be considered as an important public health problem.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.737-744
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• 2006

Present study was designed to characterize the concentrations of major roadside air pollutants in Daegu and to compare with those of Seoul and Busan. Evaluated were the exceedance frequence of mean concentrations of target compounds(CO, NO$_2$, O$_3$, PM$_{10}$, SO$_2$) and the relationship for time variation. Two air pollution monitoring stations(one roadside station and one residential station) in Daegu were selected for this study. In addition, one roadside monitoring station from each of Seoul and Busan was chosen for the comparison of Daegu monitoring stations. The data analyzed in the current study were collected from 1998 to 2000 by Daegu Regional Environmental Management Office. The roadside concentrations of NO2 and PM to and the exceedance frequency of ambient air standard levels in Daegu were higher than those of Seoul and Busan. Except 03, the roadside concentrations of all target compounds showed following three distinguished patterns; first, possibly due to increased traffic density, the concentrations increased from 0500 to 0900(LST), second, the concentrations decreased from 0900 to 1700(LST) possibly due to the increased wind velocity and decreased traffic density, and finally, increased traffic density, the concentrations increased again from 1700 to 2100(LST). An implication was that major air pollution sources shifted from residential area to road-area during rush hours.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.151-169
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• 2015

Objectives: The deleterious effects of air pollution on various health outcomes have been demonstrated. However, few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on liver enzyme levels. Methods: Blood samples were drawn up to three times between 2008 and 2010 from 545 elderly individuals who regularly visited a community welfare center in Seoul, Korea. Data regarding ambient air pollutants (particulate matter ${\leq}2.5{\mu}m$ [$PM_{2.5}$], nitrogen dioxide [$NO_2$], ozone [$O_3$], carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) from monitoring stations were used to estimate air pollution exposure. The effects of the air pollutants on the concentrations of three liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase [${\gamma}$-GTP)]) were evaluated using generalized additive and linear mixed models. Results: Interquartile range increases in the concentrations of the pollutants showed significant associations of $PM_{2.5}$ with AST (3.0% increase, p=0.0052), ALT (3.2% increase, p=0.0313), and ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.0% increase, p=0.0051) levels; $NO_2$ with AST (3.5% increase, p=0.0060) and ALT (3.8% increase, p=0.0179) levels; and $O_3$ with ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.3% increase, p=0.0324) levels. Significant modification of these effects by exercise and alcohol consumption was found (p for interaction <0.05). The effects of air pollutants were greater in non-exercisers and heavy drinkers. Conclusions: Short-term exposure to air pollutants such as $PM_{2.5}$, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ is associated with increased liver enzyme levels in the elderly. These adverse effects can be reduced by exercising regularly and abstinence from alcohol.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.416-426
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• 2019

Objectives: In recent years, transboundary air pollution from mainland East Asia has led to growing concerns about air pollution in Japan. Air pollution is reportedly associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. In this study, we assessed the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and the health status of participants with and without chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: Participants (n=2753) with and without chronic respiratory diseases who visited healthcare facilities in Japan during February from 2010 to 2015 filled out a self-report questionnaire regarding their symptoms and perceived health status. Participants were followed up during April-May and June-July. Results: Oxidant concentrations were associated with respiratory symptoms, overall health, and quality of life (QoL). Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate matter <$2.5{\mu}m$ levels were associated with physical fitness; SPM was also associated with QoL. Recent experience of an Asian sand dust event had a significant effect on allergic symptoms, change in health, and QoL. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were more strongly affected by oxidants than by other pollutants. Significant associations of air pollutants were found with a comprehensive range of items related to perceived health status, including overall health and QoL. Although the effects of air pollutants on respiratory symptoms and health status were more apparent among patients with respiratory diseases, the adverse effects of air pollutants were significant even among participants without such conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.625-637
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• 2003

This study was performed to examine the relationship between air pollution exposure and mortality in Seoul for the years of 1998∼2001. Daily counts of death were analyzed by general additive Poisson model, with adjustment for effects of seasonal trend, air temperature, humidity, and day of the week as confounders in a nonparametric approach. Daily death counts were associated with CO (current day),O$_3$ (current day), PM$_{10}$ (current day), NO$_2$ (1 day before), SO$_2$ (1 day before). Increase of 41.71 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ (interquartile range) in PM$_{10}$ was associated with 1.3% (95% CI = 0.7∼1.9％) increase in the daily number of death. $O_3$ concentrations resulted in an increased risk of 1.3% for 23.86 ppb in all-aged mortality [RR = 1.013 (1.004-1.023)1. This effect was greater in children (less than 15 aged) and elderly (more than 65 aged). After ozone level exceeds 25 ppb, the dose-response relationship between mortality and ozone was almost linear. We concluded that Seoul had 1∼5％ increase in mortality in association with IQR (interquartile range) in air pollutants. Daily variations in air pollution within the range currently occurring in Seoul might have an adverse effect on daily mortality. These findings also support the hypothesis that air pollution, at levels below the current ambient air quality standards of Korea, is harmful to sensitive subjects, such as children or elderly.rly.