This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
Background Lung disease caused by exposure to chemical substances such as polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) used in humidifier disinfectants (HDs) has been identified in Korea. Several researchers reported that exposure classification using a questionnaire might not correlate with the clinical severity classes determined through clinical diagnosis. It was asserted that the lack of correlation was due to misclassification in the exposure assessment due to recall bias. We identified the cause of uncertainty to recognize the limitations of differences between exposure assessment and clinical outcomes assumed to be true value. Therefore, it was intended to check the availability of survey using questionnaires and required to reduce misclassification error/bias in exposure assessment. Methods HDs exposure assessment was conducted as a face-to-face interview, using a questionnaire. A total of 5245 applicants participated in the exposure assessment survey. The questionnaire included information on sociodemographic and exposure characteristics such as the period, frequency, and daily usage amount of HDs. Based on clinical diagnosis, a 4 × 4 cross-tabulation of exposure and clinical classification was constructed. When the values of the exposure rating minus the clinical class were ≥ 2 and ≤ − 2, we assigned the cases to the overestimation and underestimation groups, respectively. Results The sex ratio was similar in the overestimation and underestimation groups. In terms of age, in the overestimation group, 90 subjects (24.7%) were under the age of 10, followed by 52 subjects (14.2%) in their 50s. In the underestimation group, 195 subjects (56.7%) were under the age of 10, followed by 80 subjects (23.3%) in their 30s. The overestimation group may have already recovered and responded excessively due to psychological anxiety or to receive compensation. However, relatively high mortality rates and surrogate responses observed among those under 10 years of age may have resulted in inaccurate exposure in the underestimation group. Conclusions HDs exposure assessment using a questionnaire might not correlate with adverse health effects due to recall bias and various other causes such as recovery of injury and psychological anxiety. This study revealed exposure misclassification and characteristics affected by HDs and proposed a questionnaire-based exposure assessment methodology to overcome the limitations of past exposure assessment.
Hyeonsu Ryu; Yoon-Hyeong Choi; Eunchae Kim; Jinhyeon Park; Seula Lee; Jeonggyo Yoon; Eun-Kyung Jo; Youngtae Choe; Jung Heo; Wonho Yang. Misclassification and characterization of exposure to humidifier disinfectants using a questionnaire. BMC Public Health 2021, 21, 1 -10.
AMA StyleHyeonsu Ryu, Yoon-Hyeong Choi, Eunchae Kim, Jinhyeon Park, Seula Lee, Jeonggyo Yoon, Eun-Kyung Jo, Youngtae Choe, Jung Heo, Wonho Yang. Misclassification and characterization of exposure to humidifier disinfectants using a questionnaire. BMC Public Health. 2021; 21 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyeonsu Ryu; Yoon-Hyeong Choi; Eunchae Kim; Jinhyeon Park; Seula Lee; Jeonggyo Yoon; Eun-Kyung Jo; Youngtae Choe; Jung Heo; Wonho Yang. 2021. "Misclassification and characterization of exposure to humidifier disinfectants using a questionnaire." BMC Public Health 21, no. 1: 1-10.
Humidifier disinfectant (HD) is a household biocidal product used in humidifier water tanks to prevent the growth of microorganisms. In 2011, a series of lung injury cases of unknown causes emerged in children and pregnant women who had used HD in Korea. This study investigated changes in the nationwide number of cases of humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) in concordance with nationwide HD consumption using data covering the entire Korean population. More than 25 kinds of HD products were sold between 1994 and 2011. The number of diagnosed HDLI, assessed by S27.3 (other injuries of lungs) of the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data, sharply increased by 2005, subsequently decreased after 2005, and almost disappeared after 2011 in concordance with the annual number of HD sales. The number of self-reported HDLIs, assessed using data from all suspected HDLI cases registered in the Korea Ministry of Environment, changed with the annual number of HD sales, with a delay pattern, potentially induced by the late awareness of lung injury diseases. The present study suggests that changes in the nationwide annual consumption of HD products were consistent with changes in the annual number of HDLI cases in Korea.
Jeonggyo Yoon; Minsun Kang; Jaehun Jung; Min Ju; Sung Jeong; Wonho Yang; Yoon-Hyeong Choi. Humidifier Disinfectant Consumption and Humidifier Disinfectant-Associated Lung Injury in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 6136 .
AMA StyleJeonggyo Yoon, Minsun Kang, Jaehun Jung, Min Ju, Sung Jeong, Wonho Yang, Yoon-Hyeong Choi. Humidifier Disinfectant Consumption and Humidifier Disinfectant-Associated Lung Injury in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):6136.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJeonggyo Yoon; Minsun Kang; Jaehun Jung; Min Ju; Sung Jeong; Wonho Yang; Yoon-Hyeong Choi. 2021. "Humidifier Disinfectant Consumption and Humidifier Disinfectant-Associated Lung Injury in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 6136.
Particulate matter (PM) less than 2.5 μm in diameter and 10 μm (PM10) contains heavy metals, but whether exposure to PM is significantly associated with the burden of heavy metal exposure in the population is unknown. We investigated the association between exposure to PM and blood concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in Korean housewives. From July 2017 to January 2020, we recruited 115 housewives in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. After excluding participants with missing information, we finally included 88 Korean housewives in our study. We measured the concentrations of indoor PM using a gravimetric method 24 h before blood sampling and the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg in blood, twice at a 1-year interval. We used a linear mixed effect model to estimate the associations between indoor PM and blood heavy metals. Exposure to PM10 was significantly associated with blood concentrations of Cd among Korean housewives. A 10 μg/m3 increase of PM10 the previous day was associated with a 2.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1%, 4.6%) and a 1.5% (95% CI = −0.1%, 3.1%) increase in blood concentrations of Cd and Pb in the linear mixed effect model, respectively. There was a significant association between indoor PM exposure and blood Cd concentrations among Korean housewives. This result suggests that the body burden of heavy metals is significantly associated with air pollution.
Dong-Wook Lee; Jongmin Oh; Shinhee Ye; Youngrin Kwag; Wonho Yang; Yangho Kim; Eunhee Ha. Indoor particulate matter and blood heavy metals in housewives: A repeated measured study. Environmental Research 2021, 197, 111013 .
AMA StyleDong-Wook Lee, Jongmin Oh, Shinhee Ye, Youngrin Kwag, Wonho Yang, Yangho Kim, Eunhee Ha. Indoor particulate matter and blood heavy metals in housewives: A repeated measured study. Environmental Research. 2021; 197 ():111013.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDong-Wook Lee; Jongmin Oh; Shinhee Ye; Youngrin Kwag; Wonho Yang; Yangho Kim; Eunhee Ha. 2021. "Indoor particulate matter and blood heavy metals in housewives: A repeated measured study." Environmental Research 197, no. : 111013.
This research was to conduct a pilot study for two consecutive days in order to assess fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure of an entire population in a community. We aimed to construct a surveillance system by analyzing the observed spatio-temporal variation of exposure. Guro-gu in Seoul, South Korea, was divided into 2,204 scale grids of 100 m each. Hourly exposure concentrations of PM2.5 were modeled by the inverse distance weighted method, using 24 sensor-based air monitoring instruments and the indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratio. Population distribution was assessed using mobile phone network data and indoor residential rates, according to sex and age over time. Exposure concentration, population distribution, and population exposure were visualized to present spatio-temporal variation. The PM2.5 exposure of the entire population of Guro-gu was calculated by population-weighted average exposure concentration. The average concentration of outdoor PM2.5 was 42.1 µg/m3, which was lower than the value of the beta attenuation monitor measured by fixed monitoring station. Indoor concentration was estimated using an indoor-to-outdoor PM2.5 concentration ratio of 0.747. The population-weighted average exposure concentration of PM2.5 was 32.4 µg/m3. Thirty-one percent of the population exceeded the Korean Atmospheric Environmental Standard for PM2.5 over a 24 h average period. The results of this study can be used in a long-term aggregate and cumulative PM2.5 exposure assessment, and as a basis for policy decisions on public health management among policymakers and stakeholders.
Jinhyeon Park; Wondeuk Jo; Mansu Cho; Jeongil Lee; Hunjoo Lee; Sungchul Seo; Chulmin Lee; Wonho Yang. Spatial and Temporal Exposure Assessment to PM2.5 in a Community Using Sensor-Based Air Monitoring Instruments and Dynamic Population Distributions. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 1284 .
AMA StyleJinhyeon Park, Wondeuk Jo, Mansu Cho, Jeongil Lee, Hunjoo Lee, Sungchul Seo, Chulmin Lee, Wonho Yang. Spatial and Temporal Exposure Assessment to PM2.5 in a Community Using Sensor-Based Air Monitoring Instruments and Dynamic Population Distributions. Atmosphere. 2020; 11 (12):1284.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJinhyeon Park; Wondeuk Jo; Mansu Cho; Jeongil Lee; Hunjoo Lee; Sungchul Seo; Chulmin Lee; Wonho Yang. 2020. "Spatial and Temporal Exposure Assessment to PM2.5 in a Community Using Sensor-Based Air Monitoring Instruments and Dynamic Population Distributions." Atmosphere 11, no. 12: 1284.
Since the global enforcement of smoke-free policies, indoor smoking has decreased significantly, and the characteristics of non-smokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) has changed. The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal and spatial characteristics of SHS exposure in non-smokers by combining questionnaires and biomarkers with time activity patterns. To assess SHS exposure, biomarkers such as cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-3-(pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) in urine and nicotine in hair were collected from 100 non-smokers in Seoul. Questionnaires about SHS exposure and time activity patterns were also obtained from the participants. The analysis of biomarker samples indicated that about 10% of participants were exposed to SHS when compared with the criteria from previous studies. However, 97% of the participants reported that they were exposed to SHS at least once weekly. The participants were most exposed to SHS in the outdoor microenvironment, where they spent approximately 1.2 h daily. There was a significant correlation between the participants’ time spent outdoors and self-reported SHS exposure time (r2 = 0.935). In this study, a methodology using time activity patterns to assess temporal and spatial characteristics of SHS exposure was suggested. The results of this study may help develop policies for managing SHS exposure, considering the time activity patterns.
Byung Woo; Min Lim; Eun Park; Jinhyeon Park; Hyeonsu Ryu; Dayoung Jung; Marcus Ramirez; Wonho Yang. Characteristics of Non-Smokers’ Exposure Using Indirect Smoking Indicators and Time Activity Patterns. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9099 .
AMA StyleByung Woo, Min Lim, Eun Park, Jinhyeon Park, Hyeonsu Ryu, Dayoung Jung, Marcus Ramirez, Wonho Yang. Characteristics of Non-Smokers’ Exposure Using Indirect Smoking Indicators and Time Activity Patterns. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (21):9099.
Chicago/Turabian StyleByung Woo; Min Lim; Eun Park; Jinhyeon Park; Hyeonsu Ryu; Dayoung Jung; Marcus Ramirez; Wonho Yang. 2020. "Characteristics of Non-Smokers’ Exposure Using Indirect Smoking Indicators and Time Activity Patterns." Sustainability 12, no. 21: 9099.
Children spend a considerable amount of time in daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in the educational facilities can affect the health of the children and impair their academic performance. The prediction of real-time PM10 concentration could be useful to intervene the problem of poor IAQ. This study developed models to predict real-time indoor PM10 concentration in the daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools using outdoor environmental data. Indoor PM10 concentrations were measured in 54 daycare centers, 12 kindergartens, and 21 elementary schools in Seoul, South Korea, using a real-time monitor (AirGuard K) over a period of one year. Multiple linear regression models were used to predict real-time indoor PM10 concentration in these educational facilities using outdoor PM10 and meteorological data as input variable. Four formations (original, ratio of indoor-to-outdoor, root-transformation, and log-transformation) for dependent variable were compared to determine the best performance of the model. A 10-fold cross-validation method was used to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction models. Daycare centers showed the highest indoor PM10 concentration. Root-transformed models with high accuracy were developed to predict the real-time indoor PM10 concentration in educational facilities every 10 min. The R2 of the prediction models were 0.64 in the daycare centers, 0.45 in the kindergartens, and 0.43 in the elementary schools. The 24 h profile of the predicted indoor PM10 was similar to the measured PM10 concentration. The prediction models could provide real-time PM10 levels in educational facilities without direct indoor measurement and observation.
Sooyoung Guak; Kangjin Kim; Wonho Yang; Sungho Won; Hunjoo Lee; Kiyoung Lee. Prediction models using outdoor environmental data for real-time PM10 concentrations in daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools. Building and Environment 2020, 187, 107371 .
AMA StyleSooyoung Guak, Kangjin Kim, Wonho Yang, Sungho Won, Hunjoo Lee, Kiyoung Lee. Prediction models using outdoor environmental data for real-time PM10 concentrations in daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools. Building and Environment. 2020; 187 ():107371.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSooyoung Guak; Kangjin Kim; Wonho Yang; Sungho Won; Hunjoo Lee; Kiyoung Lee. 2020. "Prediction models using outdoor environmental data for real-time PM10 concentrations in daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools." Building and Environment 187, no. : 107371.
Human exposure to air pollution is a major public health concern. Environmental policymakers have been implementing various strategies to reduce exposure, including the 10th-day-no-driving system. To assess exposure of an entire population of a community in a highly polluted area, pollutant concentrations in microenvironments and population time–activity patterns are required. To date, population exposure to air pollutants has been assessed using air monitoring data from fixed atmospheric monitoring stations, atmospheric dispersion modeling, or spatial interpolation techniques for pollutant concentrations. This is coupled with census data, administrative registers, and data on the patterns of the time-based activities at the individual scale. Recent technologies such as sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), communications technology, and artificial intelligence enable the accurate evaluation of air pollution exposure for a population in an environmental health context. In this study, the latest trends in published papers on the assessment of population exposure to air pollution were reviewed. Subsequently, this study proposes a methodology that will enable policymakers to develop an environmental health surveillance system that evaluates the distribution of air pollution exposure for a population within a target area and establish countermeasures based on advanced exposure assessment.
Wonho Yang; Jinhyeon Park; Mansu Cho; Cheolmin Lee; Jeongil Lee; Chaekwan Lee. Environmental Health Surveillance System for a Population Using Advanced Exposure Assessment. Toxics 2020, 8, 74 .
AMA StyleWonho Yang, Jinhyeon Park, Mansu Cho, Cheolmin Lee, Jeongil Lee, Chaekwan Lee. Environmental Health Surveillance System for a Population Using Advanced Exposure Assessment. Toxics. 2020; 8 (3):74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWonho Yang; Jinhyeon Park; Mansu Cho; Cheolmin Lee; Jeongil Lee; Chaekwan Lee. 2020. "Environmental Health Surveillance System for a Population Using Advanced Exposure Assessment." Toxics 8, no. 3: 74.
Although fixed ambient air monitoring stations provide data regarding ambient PM2.5 concentrations within a given community, they present limitations in terms of assessing the actual exposure to individuals and populations using time-activity patterns. The population exposure of a community may be estimated by classifying the population according to the time-activity pattern and modeling their exposure. In this study, we provide a possible methodology to assess the population exposure to PM2.5 in a given community. Five field technicians conducted exposure simulations for similar time-activity groups of preschool children, school students, homemakers, office workers, and elderly, with PM2.5 personal exposure monitoring (PEM) equipment, in Guro-gu, Seoul, Korea. The PM2.5 exposure concentrations were modeled by interpolation (point in polygon, inverse distance weighted, and ordinary kriging methods) and regression models using GPS data and a sensor-based air monitoring instrument network, and were compared with the PEM data. The population exposure to PM2.5 was estimated using the population-weighted average through Monte–Carlo simulation. Elderly presented the highest average PM2.5 exposure concentration followed by office workers, homemakers, preschool children, and school students. The correlation between the measured and modeled exposure was good, in the order of ordinary kriging (R2 = 0.822), inverse distance weighted (R2 = 0.747), and point in polygon methods (R2 = 0.721). Thirty-seven percent of the population in a community was exposed to PM2.5 concentrations higher than 35 μg/m3, which is the Korean Atmospheric Environmental Standard for PM2.5 (24-h average). It is suggested that this methodology could be applied to assess the real-time and long-term cumulative exposures of a given community. It is expected that an exposure surveillance system can be developed based on these results.
Jinhyeon Park; Hyeonsu Ryu; Eunchae Kim; Youngtae Choe; Jung Heo; Jeongil Lee; Seung-Hyun Cho; Kyunghwa Sung; Mansu Cho; Wonho Yang. Assessment of PM2.5 population exposure of a community using sensor-based air monitoring instruments and similar time-activity groups. Atmospheric Pollution Research 2020, 11, 1971 -1981.
AMA StyleJinhyeon Park, Hyeonsu Ryu, Eunchae Kim, Youngtae Choe, Jung Heo, Jeongil Lee, Seung-Hyun Cho, Kyunghwa Sung, Mansu Cho, Wonho Yang. Assessment of PM2.5 population exposure of a community using sensor-based air monitoring instruments and similar time-activity groups. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2020; 11 (11):1971-1981.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJinhyeon Park; Hyeonsu Ryu; Eunchae Kim; Youngtae Choe; Jung Heo; Jeongil Lee; Seung-Hyun Cho; Kyunghwa Sung; Mansu Cho; Wonho Yang. 2020. "Assessment of PM2.5 population exposure of a community using sensor-based air monitoring instruments and similar time-activity groups." Atmospheric Pollution Research 11, no. 11: 1971-1981.
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. Environmental data collection is from August 2018 to January 31, 2019, and the average, minimum, and maximum values of air pollution data respectively. According to the global data on global trends using the Big Data, high blood pressure is confirmed at 33rd place in the world, and myocardial infarction among the environmental diseases is confirmed to be lower than Korea. Disease that occurred in Jeolla province industrial complex considering the characteristics of our country was identified as representative. Air pollutants are considered to be the causes of allergic diseases in Korea. PM10 was found to be higher than the control area (28.8804348 (㎍ / ㎥), 31.7065217 (㎍ / ㎥) and 32.8532609 (㎍ / ㎥). The mean concentrations of PM2.5 in the middle and high exposure areas were lower than those of the control areas, but the highest in the intermediate exposure areas was 16.5978261 (㎍ / ㎥), 16.1086957 (㎍ / ㎥) and 17.1847826 (㎍ / ㎥) respectively. The relationship between the major variables of environmental exposure in Yeosu was confirmed to be correlated with high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, cerebrovascular, diabetes, thyroid disease, sinus infection, anemia and pneumonia.
Kil Yong Choi; Busoon Son; Wonho Yang. Analysis of Environmental Factors Caused by Exposure to Air Pollution in Yeosu Industrial Complex: Analyzing Google Trend Trends in Cancer Generation through Big Data. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleKil Yong Choi, Busoon Son, Wonho Yang. Analysis of Environmental Factors Caused by Exposure to Air Pollution in Yeosu Industrial Complex: Analyzing Google Trend Trends in Cancer Generation through Big Data. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKil Yong Choi; Busoon Son; Wonho Yang. 2020. "Analysis of Environmental Factors Caused by Exposure to Air Pollution in Yeosu Industrial Complex: Analyzing Google Trend Trends in Cancer Generation through Big Data." , no. : 1.
There has been an increasing need for the risk assessment of external environmental hazards in children because they are more sensitive to hazardous chemical exposure than adults. Therefore, the development of general exposure factors is required for appropriate risk assessment in Korean children. This study aimed to determine the general exposure factors among Korean children aged ≤18 years. We developed the recommended exposure factors across five categories: physiological variables, inhalation rates, food and drinking water intake, time–activity patterns, and soil and dust ingestion. National databases were used, and direct measurements and questionnaire surveys of representative samples were performed to calculate the inhalation rate, water intake, and soil ingestion rate. With regard to the time–activity patterns, the daily inhalation rates ranged from 9.49 m3/day for children aged 0–2 years to 14.98 m3/day for those aged 16–18 years. This study found that Korean children spent an average of 22.64 h indoors, 0.63 h outdoors, and 0.73 h in-transit on weekdays. The general exposure factors of Korean children were studied for the first time, and these results could be used to assess children’s exposure and risk. They also suggest the differences compared with the results of international results.
Hyojung Yoon; Sun-Kyoung Yoo; Jungkwan Seo; Taksoo Kim; Pyeongsoon Kim; Pil-Je Kim; Jinhyeon Park; Jung Heo; Wonho Yang. Development of General Exposure Factors for Risk Assessment in Korean Children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1988 .
AMA StyleHyojung Yoon, Sun-Kyoung Yoo, Jungkwan Seo, Taksoo Kim, Pyeongsoon Kim, Pil-Je Kim, Jinhyeon Park, Jung Heo, Wonho Yang. Development of General Exposure Factors for Risk Assessment in Korean Children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (6):1988.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyojung Yoon; Sun-Kyoung Yoo; Jungkwan Seo; Taksoo Kim; Pyeongsoon Kim; Pil-Je Kim; Jinhyeon Park; Jung Heo; Wonho Yang. 2020. "Development of General Exposure Factors for Risk Assessment in Korean Children." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 6: 1988.
Studying human health in areas with industrial contamination is a serious and complex issue. In recent years, attention has increasingly focused on the health implications of large industrial complexes. A variety of potential toxic chemicals have been produced during manufacturing processes and activities in industrial complexes in South Korea. A large number of dyeing industries gathered together in Daegu dyeing industrial complex. The residents near the industrial complex could be often exposed to volatile organic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate VOCs levels in the ambient air of DDIC, to assess the impact on human health risks, and to find more convincing evidences to prove these VOCs emitted from DDIC. According to deterministic risk assessment, inhalation was the most important route. Residential indoor, outdoor and personal exposure air VOCs were measured by passive samplers in exposed area and controlled area in different seasons. Satisfaction with ambient environments and self-reported diseases were also obtained by questionnaire survey. The VOCs concentrations in exposed area and controlled area was compared by t-test. The relationships among every VOC were tested by correlation. The values of hazard quotient (HQ) and life cancer risk were estimated. The concentrations of measured VOCs were presented, moreover, the variety of concentrations according the distances from the residential settings to the industrial complex site in exposed area. The residential indoor, outdoor, and personal exposure concentrations of toluene, DMF and chloroform in exposed area were significantly higher than the corresponding concentrations in controlled area both in summer and autumn. Toluene, DMF, chloroform and MEK had significantly positive correlations with each other in indoor and outdoor, and even in personal exposure. The HQ for DMF exceeded 1, and the life cancer risk of chloroform was greater than 10− 4 in exposed area. The prevalence of respiratory diseases, anaphylactic diseases and cardiovascular diseases in exposed area were significantly higher than in controlled area. This study showed that adverse cancer and non-cancer health effects may occur by VOCs emitted from DDIC, and some risk managements are needed. Moreover, this study provides a convenient preliminarily method for pollutants source characteristics.
Jianfei Shuai; Sunshin Kim; Hyeonsu Ryu; Jinhyeon Park; Chae Kwan Lee; Geun-Bae Kim; Venecio U. Ultra Jr; Wonho Yang. Health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds exposure near Daegu dyeing industrial complex in South Korea. BMC Public Health 2018, 18, 1 -13.
AMA StyleJianfei Shuai, Sunshin Kim, Hyeonsu Ryu, Jinhyeon Park, Chae Kwan Lee, Geun-Bae Kim, Venecio U. Ultra Jr, Wonho Yang. Health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds exposure near Daegu dyeing industrial complex in South Korea. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18 (1):1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJianfei Shuai; Sunshin Kim; Hyeonsu Ryu; Jinhyeon Park; Chae Kwan Lee; Geun-Bae Kim; Venecio U. Ultra Jr; Wonho Yang. 2018. "Health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds exposure near Daegu dyeing industrial complex in South Korea." BMC Public Health 18, no. 1: 1-13.
On September 27, 2012, at 3:43 pm, a hydrogen fluoride spill occurred in a manufacturing plant located at the 4th complex of the Gumi National Industrial Complex in Gumi City, South Korea. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychological effects of the hydrogen fluoride spill on the members of the community and to investigate their relationships with physical symptoms and changes in psychological effects occurring as time passed after the accident. The 1st phase involved a survey of 1359 individuals that was conducted 1 month after the spill, and the 2nd phase involved a survey of 711 individuals that was conducted 7 months after the accident. The questionnaires included items for assessing demographic characteristics, hydrogen fluoride exposure level, physical symptoms, and psychological status. Physical symptoms were assessed to determine the persistence of irritations. Psychological status was assessed to investigate the impact of event level using the Impact of Event Scale – Revised Korean version (IES-R-K), and the anxiety level was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). As the hydrogen fluoride exposure level increased, the impact of event and anxiety levels increased significantly both 1 and 7 months after the accident (p < 0.05). The mean score of the impact of event levels decreased significantly from 33.33 ± 14.64 at 1 month after the accident to 28.68 ± 11.80 at 7 months after the accident (p < 0.05). The mean score of the anxiety levels increased significantly from 5.16 ± 6.59 at 1 month after the accident to 6.79 ± 8.41 at 7 months after the accident (p < 0.05). The risk of persistent physical symptoms at 7 months after the accident was significantly higher in females. The risk of persistent physical symptoms also increased significantly, with increasing age, hydrogen fluoride exposure, and impact of event levels (p < 0.05). The present study found that the impact of event level and anxiety level increased with increasing hydrogen fluoride exposure. Anxiety levels persisted even after time passed. The risk of persistent physical symptoms at 7 months after the accident was higher in females, and it increased with increasing age, hydrogen fluoride exposure level, and impact of event levels.
Seung-Hyun Yoo; Seong-Yong Yoon; Kuck-Hyun Woo; Jin-Seok Kim; Seong-Yong Cho; Sung-Soo Lee; Hyun-Sul Lim; Yeon-Soon Ahn; Won-Ho Yang. Psychological effects of a disastrous hydrogen fluoride spillage on the local community. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2017, 29, 40 .
AMA StyleSeung-Hyun Yoo, Seong-Yong Yoon, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Jin-Seok Kim, Seong-Yong Cho, Sung-Soo Lee, Hyun-Sul Lim, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Won-Ho Yang. Psychological effects of a disastrous hydrogen fluoride spillage on the local community. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2017; 29 (1):40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSeung-Hyun Yoo; Seong-Yong Yoon; Kuck-Hyun Woo; Jin-Seok Kim; Seong-Yong Cho; Sung-Soo Lee; Hyun-Sul Lim; Yeon-Soon Ahn; Won-Ho Yang. 2017. "Psychological effects of a disastrous hydrogen fluoride spillage on the local community." Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 29, no. 1: 40.
Tobacco-free policies on college campuses are spreading in Korea. However, the impact of the smoking ban legislation at venues on the boundary of a college campus is still limited. This study aimed to assess short-term changes in PM2.5 concentrations before and after the enactment of the smoking ban legislation to evaluate the impact. In this cross-sectional study, PM2.5 measurements (pre-ban: n = 99, post-ban: n = 64) were conducted in randomly selected billiards, pubs, and computer game rooms on the peripheries of college campuses in October 2013, prior to implementation of the smoking ban, and in May 2014, after the ban. The median (interquartile range, IQR) of the PM2.5 concentration for all venues was 31 μg/m3 (0–80 μg/m3) in the pre-ban period and 11 μg/m3 (0–36 μg/m3) in the post-ban period implying indoor PM2.5 concentration levels of the peripheries of college campuses likely decreased one year after implementation of the ban. However, the differences were not significant yet. The results support the introduction of more rigorous monitoring of SHS exposure levels toward the ultimate goal of encouraging a complete smoking ban in hospitality venues, including billiards, pubs, and computer game rooms located on the peripheries of college campuses.
Sol Yu; Wonho Yang; Kiyoung Lee; Sungcheon Kim; Kwonchul Ha; Sungroul Kim. Short-Term Impact of a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Law Following a Partial Smoke-Free Law on PM2.5 Concentration Levels at Hospitality Venues on the Peripheries of College Campuses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12, 14034 -14042.
AMA StyleSol Yu, Wonho Yang, Kiyoung Lee, Sungcheon Kim, Kwonchul Ha, Sungroul Kim. Short-Term Impact of a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Law Following a Partial Smoke-Free Law on PM2.5 Concentration Levels at Hospitality Venues on the Peripheries of College Campuses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12 (11):14034-14042.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSol Yu; Wonho Yang; Kiyoung Lee; Sungcheon Kim; Kwonchul Ha; Sungroul Kim. 2015. "Short-Term Impact of a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Law Following a Partial Smoke-Free Law on PM2.5 Concentration Levels at Hospitality Venues on the Peripheries of College Campuses." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 11: 14034-14042.
Jongryeul Sohn; Wonho Yang; Jihwan Kim; Busoon Son; Jinchul Park. Erratum to “Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea” [J. Environ. Manage. 90 (2008) 348–354]. Journal of Environmental Management 2009, 90, 1962 .
AMA StyleJongryeul Sohn, Wonho Yang, Jihwan Kim, Busoon Son, Jinchul Park. Erratum to “Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea” [J. Environ. Manage. 90 (2008) 348–354]. Journal of Environmental Management. 2009; 90 (5):1962.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJongryeul Sohn; Wonho Yang; Jihwan Kim; Busoon Son; Jinchul Park. 2009. "Erratum to “Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea” [J. Environ. Manage. 90 (2008) 348–354]." Journal of Environmental Management 90, no. 5: 1962.
Since the majority of schools are housed in buildings dating from the 1960s and 1970s, a comprehensive construction and renovation program of school buildings has been carried out to improve the educational conditions in Korea. However, classrooms and computer rooms, with pressed wood desks, chairs and furnishings, as well as construction materials, might have negative effects on the indoor air quality. Furthermore, most schools have naturally ventilated classrooms. The purpose of this study was to characterize the concentrations of different indoor air pollutants within Korean schools and to compare their indoor levels within schools according to the age of school buildings. Indoor and outdoor air samples of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), particulate matter (PM(10)), total microbial count (TBC), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) were obtained during summer, autumn and winter from three sites; a classroom, a laboratory and a computer classroom at 55 different schools. The selection of the schools was based on the number of years since the schools had been constructed. The problems causing indoor air pollution at the schools were chemicals emitted by building materials or furnishings, and insufficient ventilation rates. The I/O ratio for HCHO was 6.32 during the autumn, and the indoor HCHO concentrations (mean = 0.16 ppm) in schools constructed within 1 year were significantly higher than the Korean Indoor Air Standard, indicating that schools have indoor sources of HCHO. Therefore, increasing the ventilation rate by means of a mechanical system and the use of low-emission furnishings can play key roles in improving the indoor air quality within schools.
Wonho Yang; Jongryeul Sohn; Jihwan Kim; Busoon Son; Jinchul Park. Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea. Journal of Environmental Management 2009, 90, 348 -354.
AMA StyleWonho Yang, Jongryeul Sohn, Jihwan Kim, Busoon Son, Jinchul Park. Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea. Journal of Environmental Management. 2009; 90 (1):348-354.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWonho Yang; Jongryeul Sohn; Jihwan Kim; Busoon Son; Jinchul Park. 2009. "Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea." Journal of Environmental Management 90, no. 1: 348-354.
It is suspected that persons who work in indoor environments near busy roadways are exposed to elevated levels of air pollutants during working hours. This study evaluated the potential exposure and source contribution associated with traffic-related air pollution for workers (polishers and repairmen) in shoe stalls from each of 32 districts during working hours in Seoul, Korea. The shoe stalls have been located at very close distances to the busy roadways. In this study, shoe stall workers could be exposed to high levels of respirable suspended particulate (RSP), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from outdoor sources such as traffic exhaust, as well as indoor sources in the shoe stalls such as dust on the shoes, portable gas ranges, organic solvents, adhesives and shoe polish. Compounds of particular note included indoor mean concentrations of benzene, toluene, m/p-xylene and o-xylene were 0.732, 6.777, 4.080 and 1.302 mg/m3, respectively, in all shoe stalls. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios for toluene and m/p-xylene concentrations were 54.52 and 20.84, respectively. The contribution of vehicle exhaust emissions to indoor air quality of shoe stalls was identified by means of correlating the relationships between simultaneously measured air pollutant concentrations indoors and outdoors. Unlike RSP and NO2, indoor VOCs concentrations of shoe stalls mainly originated from indoor sources vs. outdoor sources.
Hyunjoo Bae; Wonho Yang; Moonho Chung. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of RSP, NO2 and selected volatile organic compounds at 32 shoe stalls located near busy roadways in Seoul, Korea. Science of The Total Environment 2004, 323, 99 -105.
AMA StyleHyunjoo Bae, Wonho Yang, Moonho Chung. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of RSP, NO2 and selected volatile organic compounds at 32 shoe stalls located near busy roadways in Seoul, Korea. Science of The Total Environment. 2004; 323 (1-3):99-105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyunjoo Bae; Wonho Yang; Moonho Chung. 2004. "Indoor and outdoor concentrations of RSP, NO2 and selected volatile organic compounds at 32 shoe stalls located near busy roadways in Seoul, Korea." Science of The Total Environment 323, no. 1-3: 99-105.