Simultaneous Exposure to Heavy Metals among Residents in the Industrial Complex: Korean National Cohort Study

Abstract

A survey was conducted to evaluate the multi-exposure level and correlation among toxic metal biomarkers (Cd, Pb, and Hg). A total of 592 individuals who participated in the survey were residents near an industrial complex in Gwangyang and Yeosu (exposed group) and of Hadong and Namhae (control group) in southern Korea from May 2007 to November 2010. The Gwangyang and Yeosu area exposed groups had slightly higher blood Pb (2.21 and 1.90 µg/dL), urinary Cd observed values (2.20 and 1.46 µg/L), urinary Cd with a urinary creatinine correction (1.43 and 1.25 µg/g Cr), and urinary Hg observed values (2.26 and 0.98 µg/L) in women participants than those in the Hadong and Namhae area (control group). Blood Pb (3.18 and 2.55 µg/dL), urinary Hg observed values (1.14 and 0.92 µg/L), and urinary Hg with a urinary creatinine correction (1.06 and 0.96 µg/L) for male participants were also slightly higher than those in the Hadong and Namhae area (control group). The correlation among urinary Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations in the blood was significant. We suggest that the exposed group of residents were simultaneously exposed to Pb, Cd, and Hg from contaminated ambient air originating from the iron manufacturing industrial complex.

Effects of Environmental Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function Level of Residents in Korean Industrial Complexes

“…It is located near the Gwangyang industrial complex, which is populated by large oil refineries and petrochemical manufacturing plants [ 9 , 10 ]. A number of studies have been conducted and reported that the levels of environmental air pollution—including nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), dioxins, toxic metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter (PM)—were significantly increasing in the atmosphere, soil, and aquatic environments in these industrial complexes, which have been most affected [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Several studies concluded that chronic exposure to low levels of hazardous pollutants were significantly related to adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems among the residents living closer to Gwangyang and Yeosu industrial complexes in Korea [ 12 , 14 ].…”

Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Proteinuria in Korean Children: A Multilevel Analysis

“…The associations between physical geography and proteinuria’s prevalence may be related to environmental pollution exposure. The southern and eastern areas of South Korea have major industrial complexes with severe air pollution [57,58,59,60]. Combustion and industry are the most common and influential sources of PM 10 [61].…”

Analysis of Environmental Factors Caused by Exposure to Air Pollution in Yeosu Industrial Complex: Analyzing Google Trend Trends in Cancer Generation Through Big Data

“…In Korea, diseases caused by the environment exposed to the occupants in the industrial complex area can occur. This has been found to affect exposure of secondary pollutants through diffusion of the atmosphere [1,2]. Depending on the characteristics of the industrial area, toxicity evaluation of human body, risk assessment and health impact assessment may directly cause cancer due to air pollution [3,4].…”

“…High blood pressure,2 Stroke,3 Cerebrovascular,4 Angina,5 Myocardial infarction,6 Diabetes,7 Anemia,8 Thyroid disease,9 COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,10 Bronchitis,11 Pulmonary emphysema,12 Bronchiectasis,13 Asthma,14 Sinus infection,15 Allergic coryza,16 Allergy desmatitis,17 Bronchial asthma,18 Acute bronchitis,19 Pneumonia,20 Acute pneumonia,21 Skin Disease…”