• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the level of physical exposure to heavy metals among residents who live around a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex and to provide baseline data on the effects and harms of heavy metals on the human body by comparing their exposure levels to those of people from control regions. Methods: We measured blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury and chromium levels and conducted a survey among 559 residents from the affected area and 347 residents of other areas. Results: Blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury levels were significantly higher in the case region than among those in the control region (p=0.013, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the thermoelectric power plant area, blood cadmium and urine mercury levels were significantly higher than in the control region (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the steel mill and petrochemical industry areas, blood cadmium level was significantly higher than that in the control region (p<0.001). Dividing groups by the reference level of blood cadmium ($2{\mu}g/L$), the odds ratios between the case and control regions were 2.56 (95% CI=1.83-3.58), 3.11 (95% CI=2.06-4.71) for the thermoelectric power plant area, 1.78 (95% CI=1.19-2.65) for the steel mill area and 4.07 (95% CI=2.40-6.89) for petrochemical industry area. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of exposure to heavy metals among residents living near a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex were significantly higher than those in the control region. This seems to be attributable to exposure to heavy metals emissions from the industrial complex. Further research and safety measures are required to protect residents' health.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2015

In Shinjeong-dong of Jeongeup, there are three government-supported research institutes and an RFT industrial complex which is currently being established. Increased human activities can affect flora and fauna as a man-made pressure onto the region. As a baseline study, status of exotic plants was investigated prior to a full operation of the RFT industrial complex. A total of 54 species and 1 variety of naturalized or introduced plants were found in the study area. Among them, three species (Ambrosia artemisifolia var. elatior, Rumex acetocella and Aster pilosus) belong to 'nuisance species', and four species(Phytolacca americana, Iopomoea hederacea, Ereechtites hieracifolia and Rudbeckia laciniata) to 'monitor species' designated by the ministry of Environment. Some of naturalized trees and plants were intentionally introduced in this area, while others naturally immigrated. Physalis angulata seemes to immigrate in the study area in the form of mixture with animal feeds as its distribution coincided with the transportation route of the animal feeds. Liquidambar styraciflua is amenable to the ecological investigation on the possible expansion of the species to the nearby Naejang National Park as its leave shape and autumn color are very similar to those of maple trees. The number of naturalized plants around the RFT industrial complex will increase with an increase in floating population, in human activities in association with constructions of factories and operations of the complex. The result of this study provides baseline data for assessing the ecological change of the region according to the operation of the RFT industrial complex.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2012

Major industrial accidents such as fires, explosions and toxic releases have occurred in Ulsan, Yeosu petrochemical complex area every year. In this study, we analyzed the causes of the previous major accidents in order to provide reasonable measures for safety regulations and process safety management. Consequently, It is necessary to make constant revisions of safety regulations and to improve process safety management in other to prevent major industrial accidents in the petrochemical complex areas.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 1996

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate breathing zone air quality in Taegu, using automatic analyzers for four air quality standards($SO_2$, $NO_2$, CO, and $O_3$). First, air target compounds were measured for 8 to 12 hours in each of two commercial areas and five residential areas. Second, air target compounds were hourly measured for 24 hours in each of two commercial areas, two residential areas, and an industrial complex area. Based on the first experiment the breathing zone air was more polluted in the commercial area as compared to the residential area, while the second experiment showed that the breathing zone air was polluted rather in the residential are3 as compared to the commercial area. The second experiment also indicated that there was some variation of breathing zone air concentration with time and measuring sites. Diurnal variation of breathing zone air concentrations was consistent with previous studies which measured at building height. The highest breathing zone air concentration was shown in Seongseo industrial complex area. An unusual finding of this study was that $SO_2$ concentration in the breathing zone air of Bisandong, a typical residential area of Taegu, was higher than that of other residential areas, even higher than that of Seongseo industrial complex area.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.256-266
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• 2020

Objectives: The concentrations and distribution characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in an industrial complex and surrouding affected residential areas were investigated in an effort to support the efficient management of VOCs. Methods: The atmospheric concentrations of VOCs were analyzed at sites around the Sihwa-Banwol complex located in the cities of Siheung and Ansan and in the surrounding affected residential areas. The appearance of VOCs and the characteristics of their temporal and spatial distribution were evaluated. Results: The total VOC concentrations in the industrial complex were detected at 1.9-2.3 times higher than in the affected areas, but the daily VOCs distributions showed similar patterns in both sites. In particular, it was confirmed that the composition ratio of the VOCs and concentration fluctuations over time in the affected areas are similar to those in the adjacent industrial complex. VOC levels in the affected areas were higher than in residential areas in cities without an industrial complex. Conclusions: VOCs in residential areas near an industrial complex were highly distributed due to the influence of continuous pollutant emissions from the industrial complex. Therefore, the management of VOCs in the atmosphere of the affected area is important for identifying and managing the sources of VOCs detected in high concentrations in the industrial complex.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.131-143
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the atmospheric concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the urinary concentration of biomarkers in residents near the Shinpyeong·Jangrim Industrial Complex to compare them with those of residents in a control area. Methods: Hazardous air pollutants (PAHs and VOCs) were measured in an exposure area (two sites) and a control area (one site). Urine samples were collected from residents near the industrial complex (184 persons) and residents in the control area (181 persons). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify which factors affected the concentration of PAHs and VOCs metabolites. Results: The average atmospheric concentration of PAHs in Shinpyeong-dong and Jangrim-dong was 0.45 and 0.59 ppb for pyrene, 0.15 and 0.16 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene, and 0.29 and 0.35 ppb for dibenz[a,h]anthracene. The average atmospheric concentration of VOCs was 1.10 and 0.99 ppb for benzene, 8.22 and 11.30 ppb for toluene, and 1.91 and 3.05 ppb for ethylbenzene, respectively. The concentrations of PAHs and VOCs in residents near the Shinpyeong·Jangrim Industrial Complex were higher than those of residents in the control area. Geometric means of urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxypyrene, methylhippuric acid, and mandelic acid concentrations were 0.45, 0.22, 391.51, and 201.36 ㎍/g creatinine, respectively. Those levels were all significantly higher than those in the control area (p<0.05). In addition, as a result of multiple regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as gender and smoking, the concentration of metabolites in urine was high in residents near the Shinpyeong·Jangrim Industrial Complex. Conclusion: The results of this study show the possibility of human exposure to VOCs in residents near the Shinpyeong·Jangrim Industrial Complex. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the local community is required for the management of environmental pollutant emissions.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.223-237
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• 2023

The Seoul Onsu Industrial Complex, having been completed over 50 years ago, is an old industrial complex, with deteriorating infrastructure and factory buildings. Despite this, there's a current urban industrial agglomeration centered on the machinery industry in the Seoul Onsu Industrial Complex. This study aims to holistically analyze the physical deterioration of facilities in the aging industrial complex and the characteristics of industrial agglomeration to derive the identity of the Seoul Onsu Industrial Complex. Based on the research findings, the complex is seeing an enhanced urban industrial agglomeration due to the influx of small-scale businesses resulting from concentrated trade networks in the metropolitan area and plot subdivision, permission for noise-producing processes, and the ease of securing highly-skilled technicians. However, this agglomeration coexists with a weakening of the complex's production function, limited innovativeness of resident companies, and non-innovative features resulting from weakened competitiveness in the metropolitan machinery industry. In summary, the identity of the Seoul Onsu Industrial Complex is a 'Non-Innovative Urban Industry Agglomeration', an old industrial complex, witnessing non-innovative agglomeration based on a machinery industry network centered in the metropolitan area.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.525-535
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• 2008

5 public complaint areas against odor in Changwon Industrial Complex were selected and investigated to clear up the cause of the complaint. 16 companies operated in public complaint areas were visited and had a grip of their situation about odor generation and treatment. Two samples at it's site boundary of each company were taken to measure complex odor unit. Complex odor unit at the site boundary of investigated companies in the public complaint areas, for the most part, exceeded standard(odor unit 20) in industrial area. It was due to that this area was not designated as odor control region and that there are also many problems in current laws of Odor Protection Act, Air Quality Act and regional legislation. Accordingly, It will be necessary to revise the related legislation, to organize governance, to financially support the improvement of environmental facilities and to enforce guidance and the regulation rigidly for the odor emission reduction in Changwon Industrial Complex.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.224-233
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between residential surroundings, such as a power plant, steel mill and petrochemical facilities, and urinary arsenic concentrations in Chungcheongnam-do Province, Korea. Methods: Stratified by fish consumption and residential district, median and maximum block sampling was applied. A total of 346 spot urine samples were speciated for $As^{5+}$, $As^{3+}$, monomethylarsonic acid(MMA), dimethylarsonic acid (DMA) and arsenobetaine (AsB). Exposure assessment was based on questionnaires including data on sex, age, current tobacco use, fish consumption, type of water consumed, and occupational category. Results: Urinary $As^{5+}+As^{3+}+MMA+DMA$ concentrations of people living in the vicinity of a power plant ($GM=50.39{\mu}g/g$) were 61% higher than those of people living in the inland area according to median block sampling. Urinary $As^{5+}+As^{3+}+MMA+DMA+AsB$ concentrations of people living in the vicinity of industrial complex area were higher than those of people living in the inland area according to block sampling by median and maximum. Conclusion: Urinary arsenic concentrations of people living in vulnerable areas such as around industrial complexes, especially power plants, were higher than those of people living in an inland area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 1999

This study focused on risk assessment for inhalation of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Ulsan industrial complex area. For non-carcinogenic risk, even the highest hazard index of toluene was estimated to be $4.8\times10^{-2}$, which was much lower than 1. The total hazard index of VOCs was estimated to be $5.8\times10^{-2}$. However, lifetime average cancer risk from the inhalation of airborne VOCs was estimated to be about $1.1\times10^{-3}/$, which was much higher than a risk standard of $10^{-5}$. The risk of $4.4\times10^{-5}$. came from benzene, the only human carcinogen among VOCs, while that of $1.05\times10^{-3}$ from probable human carcinogens including 1,3-butadiene and 1,2-dichloroethane. About 70% and 20% of total VOC cancer risk was due to the inhalation of 1,3-butadiene and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively. Therefore, proper risk management of these 3 VOCs was required for the protection of health from cancer burden in Ulsan industrial complex area.