Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Blood Aluminum Concentrations among Residents of the South-east Costal Area of Korea

우리나라 일부 지역 주민들의 혈중 알루미늄 농도

  • Seo, Jeong-Wook (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Byoung-Gwon (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Yu-mi (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Chung, Jin-Yong (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Lim, Hyoun-Ju (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Ye, Byeong-Jin (Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Hong, Young-Seoub (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
  • 서정욱 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김병권 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김유미 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 정진용 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 임현주 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 예병진 (동아대학교 환경보건센터) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2016.03.10
  • Accepted : 2016.06.14
  • Published : 2016.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: Aluminum is well known as a potent neurotoxicant. There are many reports that aluminum can be toxic to humans and to animals. However, there are only few studies on the assessment of aluminum exposure among humans in Korea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate current aluminum concentrations among the adult population in regions of Korea. Methods: We selected 439 adults aged 20-89 years from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region and certain other sites. Blood aluminum concentrations were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). The geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of aluminum concentrations were calculated, and we also confirmed the proportion of excess of the aluminum reference value. Results: Total GM (95% CI) of aluminum levels was 14.26 (13.43-15.14) ppb. Levels among males (15.58 [14.09-17.22] ppb) were higher compared to among females (13.51 [12.54-14.55] ppb), and levels increased with subject age from 40 years and over. Three point one nine percent of the subjects exceed the reference value of 50 ppb. Lastly, aluminum concentration has a log-normal distribution with lnN (x; 2.89, 0.642), x>0. Conclusion: In the present study, we evaluated the distribution of blood aluminum concentrations among the normal population in Korea, and we found some adults exceeding the reference levels. However, in order to compare the results with other studies, an extended study including measurement of serum aluminum level is required. In addition, further research on various population groups, including occupational exposure of workers, is required.

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