Health effects of environmental pollution in population living near industrial complex areas in Korea

Abstract

Several epidemiological studies have reported an association between environmental pollution and various health conditions in individuals residing in industrial complexes. To evaluate the effects of pollution from industrial complex on human health, we performed a pooled analysis of environmental epidemiologic monitoring data for residents living near national industrial complexes in Korea. The respiratory and allergic symptoms and the prevalence of acute and chronic diseases, including cancer, were used as the outcome variables for health effects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between exposure to pollution from industrial complexes and health conditions. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, occupational exposure, level of education, and body mass index, the residents near the industrial complexes were found to have more respiratory symptoms, such as cough (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.31) and sputum production (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.24), and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20). Among residents of the industrial complexes, the prevalence of acute eye disorders was approximately 40% higher (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.84) and the prevalence of lung and uterine cancer was 3.45 times and 1.88 times higher, respectively, than those among residents of the control area. This study showed that residents living in the vicinity of industrial complexes have a high risk of acute and chronic diseases including respiratory and allergic conditions. These results can be used as basic objective data for developing health management measures for individuals residing near industrial complexes.

Industrial pollution related health problems among residents of a rural area in central Kerala

“…In their study the incidence of atopic dermatitis was also statistically higher in the industrial area than in the control area. 11 In our study compared to control area the risk of development of dermatological symptoms were18.8 (95% CI 8.3-40.7) and neurological were 13.5 (95%CI 4.1-44.7). The dermatological and neurological symptoms are more than respiratory symptoms, in our study; it may be due to it, as it is a food factory.…”

“…The study done in Korea also found out that the risk of acute eye disorder in the industrial area was approximately 40% higher than that in the control area. 11 Some other studies described that exposure to air pollutants such as SO 2 and O 3 on the ocular surface was associated with eye diseases such as conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome. [14][15][16]…”

Exposure to industrial air pollution and its association with respiratory symptoms among children in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat

“…Since cough and phlegm show a significant association between the exposed and comparative group, it clearly shows that cough and phlegm were usually the symptoms of upper or lower respiratory infection. A study discussed that coughing is an action of body defence mechanism in which the body react to remove the phlegm from the lungs and bronchi when pollutant enter the respiratory tract [8]. Phlegm that being produced indicates there was an increased inflammatory response due to contaminant's exposure [8].…”

“…A study discussed that coughing is an action of body defence mechanism in which the body react to remove the phlegm from the lungs and bronchi when pollutant enter the respiratory tract [8]. Phlegm that being produced indicates there was an increased inflammatory response due to contaminant's exposure [8]. As a result, the surge in symptoms of cough and sputum implies that children in industrial regions are more exposed to air pollution than those in the comparative area [8].…”

Effects of Dust Exposure to Lung Function on Cement Loading Worker

“…Pollutants resulting from industrial activities can be in the form of gas and particulates that pose a risk to human health. Pollutants that enter the body through the respiratory system or skin can cause allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, and various acute and chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary dysfunction, skin and eye diseases, acute bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (Eom et al, 2018). Lung function tests are useful for diagnosing the cause of pulmonary dysfunction.…”