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

Abstract

This study aims to identify environmental air pollution adversely affecting pulmonary function among a community-based general population living in Korean industrial complexes. A total of 1963 residents participated in a pulmonary function test (PFT). The sample population consisted of an exposed group (n = 1487) living within a radius of 5 km of industrial complexes and a control group (n = 476) living over a radius of 10 km from the industrial complexes in Gwangyang and Yeosu cities. PFT results were calculated for each resident of the study population. On-site questionnaire surveys with face-to-face interviews were also conducted to collect more detailed information on personal lifestyles, medical history, exposure to air pollution, and respiratory disease and related symptoms. A total of 486 measured samples were collected by eight automated air-monitoring stations installed in four counties of Gwangyang and four counties of Yeosu in South Korea from January 2006 to February 2007. Mean levels of SO2 (0.012 ppm), CO (0.648 ppm), NO2 (0.02 ppm), O3 (0.034 ppm), and PM10 (43.07 μg/m3), collected within a radius of 5 km, were significantly higher than those collected over a radius of 10 km from Gwangyang and Yeosu industrial complexes. Prevalence odds ratio (OR) of abnormal pulmonary function in the exposed group of residents (<5 km) was elevated at 1.24 (95% CI 0.71–1.96), but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In multiple linear regression analysis, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) levels significantly declined as SO2, CO, and O3 levels increased when adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), alcohol, smoking, secondhand smoke, and respiratory disease and related symptoms (n = 1963) (p < 0.05). These results suggest that exposure to air pollution affects pulmonary function levels of residents living in Korean industrial complexes.

Annual SO2 exposure, asthma, atopy, and lung function in Puerto Rican children

“…Current evidence supports a strong link between short-term SO 2 exposure and reduced lung function in persons with asthma. 30,35 On the other hand, there is inconsistent evidence of an association between long-term SO 2 exposure and lung function, likely due to varying methodologies, with some studies reporting deficits 36,37 and others reporting no changes [38][39][40] in lung function. Many studies have reported an inverse association between SO 2 exposure and FVC or FEV1, but not with FEV1/FVC.…”

“…38,40 Our finding of an inverse association between SO 2 exposure and FEV1/FVC in children with asthma contrast with those from a prior negative study in children with mild-moderate asthma 40 but are generally consistent with those from a community-based study of children and adults (5-70 years old). 37 SO 2 has been shown to have potentially enhanced negative effects on lung function in persons with asthma who also have a TNF-α polymorphism at position -307…”

Developing an ANFIS-PSO Model to Predict Mercury Emissions in Combustion Flue Gases

“…Air pollution is known as a profound contributor to human mortality and as a potential danger to the environment and ecological systems [2,7,8]. Thus, intelligent monitoring of air pollutants is of the utmost importance to maintain acceptable levels of air quality for well-being [9][10][11][12]. 2 of 16 Among the numerous industrial pollutants, mercury contamination has been identified as one of the most acute air pollutants produced by conventional fossil-fueled power stations [13][14][15][16].…”

Developing ANFIS-PSO Model to Predict Mercury Emissions in Combustion Flue Gases

“…[2,7,8]. Thus, intelligent monitoring of the air pollutants is of utmost importance to maintain acceptable air quality for well-being [9][10][11][12].…”

“…Previous studies, e.g. [7][8][9][10][11], report that a substantial amount of mercury outflows to the earth comes from coal-fired power plants. In , roughly 1960 tone/year mercury outflowed to the air from various sections worldwide [23].…”