Distribution of Airborne Hexavalent Chromium Concentrations in Large Industrial Complexes in Korea

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a field evaluation which used sampling and analytical methods to det ermine the levels of airborne hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) in major industrial complexes in Korea over a seven year period (20072013). Cr(VI) concentra tions were determined using cellulose filter sampling and ion chromatography analysis. In order to vali date the analytical performance of these methods, studies were also carried out to investigate data quality control (QC) parameters, such as the method detection limit (MDL), repeatability, and recovery efficiencies. The average concentrations of Cr(VI) for the nine industrial complexes in Korea were in the range of 0.09 to 1.40 ng/m 3 , which is similar to of the concentrations in other industrial areas around the world. The impacts of Cr(VI) emissions from industrial areas on Cr(VI) concentrations in neigh boringresidential areas were considerably low, and the dispersion of Cr(VI) from industrial areas to res idential areas was estimated to be 'notsignificant'. Cr(VI) levels were not affected by seasonal varia tion, which suggests that chromium was emitted continuously from the industrial sources throughout the year. The concentration of Cr(VI) measured accounted for 0.7 to 9.4 percent of the total chromi um level, which is a low percentage compared to those in other urban areas around the world. This is the first report in an international journal of a field study conducted in Korea to determine the concen tration of Cr(VI) in the ambient air of industrial and residential areas.

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 ].…”

Spatiotemporal Variations and Health Implications of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Ulsan, a Multi-Industrial City in Korea

“…The extracted samples were then analyzed using ion chromatography (IC) (DX-120, Dionex, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA), equipped with IonPac-NG1 and IonPac-AS7 (Dionex, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA) as the guard and analytical columns, respectively. More details of the sampling and analysis of Cr(VI) can be found in the literature [42].…”

“…In particular, the mean concentration of Pb at Site A (0.55 µg/m 3 ) in the Onsan nonferrous industrial complex was found to have exceeded the NAAQS (0.5 µg/m 3 as an annual average). Furthermore, the average concentration (1.4 µg/m 3 ) of Cr(VI) at Site B in the Ulsan-Mipo industrial complex appeared to have been the highest among major industrial complexes scattered all over the country [42]. In addition to large petrochemical plants, numerous machinery and transportation equipment companies were located in the Ulsan-Mipo complex [67].…”

Monitoring of particulate hazardous air pollutants and affecting factors in the largest industrial area in South Korea: The Sihwa-Banwol complex

“…The extracted samples were then analyzed using ion chromatography (IC) (DX-120, Dionex, USA), equipped with IonPac-NG1 and IonPac-AS7 (Dionex, USA) as the guard and analytical columns, respectively [22]. More details of the sampling and analysis of Cr(VI) can be found in the literature [23].…”

“…The mean concentrations of Pb at all sites appeared to be lower than the national ambient air quality standard in Korea (annual average of 0.5 μg/m 3 ). Occupational exposure to airborne Cr(VI) is associated with increased risk of lung and nasal cancers [23]. A class of Cr and its compounds has been included in the list of HAPs in Korea since 1979.…”