Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metal Exposure Concentrations and Volatile Organic Compound Metabolites among Residents in the Affected Area According to Residential Distance from a Coal-fired Power Plant

화력발전소 영향권 주민 거주지의 이격 거리별 중금속 및 휘발성유기화합물 대사체 노출 농도 비교 분석

  • Jee Hyun Rho (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Byoung-Gwon Kim (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Jung-Yeon Kwon (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Hyunji Ju (Environmental Health Center for Busan, Dong-A University) ;
  • Na-Young Kim (Environmental Health Center for Busan, Dong-A University) ;
  • Hyoun Ju Lim (Environmental Health Center for Busan, Dong-A University) ;
  • Seungho Lee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University) ;
  • Byeng-Chul Yu (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Kosin University) ;
  • Suejin Kim (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Young-Seoub Hong (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
  • 노지현 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김병권 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 권정연 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 주현지 (부산광역시 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김나영 (부산광역시 환경보건센터) ;
  • 임현주 (부산광역시 환경보건센터) ;
  • 이승호 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 유병철 (고신대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김수진 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2024.01.15
  • Accepted : 2024.02.13
  • Published : 2024.02.28
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Abstract

Background: There are concerns about the health effects of various environmental pollution exposures among residents living near coal-fired power plants (CFPP). Objectives: This study attempted to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine and those of urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites according to the residential separation distance. Methods: Participants in the study totaled 334 people who have lived for more than 10 years in areas within 10 km of a CFPP. The separation distance was analyzed in quartiles by dividing it into Q1 (88 people), Q2 (89 people), Q3 (89 people), and Q4 (68 people). We explained the purpose of this study to the participants and collected blood and urine after obtaining signatures on a participation agreement. Results: The study participants were 102 males (30.5%) and 232 females (69.5%), with an average age of 71. The average length of residence and distance were 43.8 years and 4,800 meters. The geometric mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in blood and As and Cd in urine were respective 1.35 ㎍/dL, 1.43 ㎍/L, 3.16 ㎍/L. They were 167.88 ㎍/g for creatinine and 1.58 ㎍/g creatinine. The metabolite concentrations of VOCs were 50.67 ㎍/g creatinine in t, t-muconic acid (t, t-MA), 10.73 ㎍/g creatinine in benzyl mercapturic acid, 317.05 ㎍/g creatinine in phenylglyoxylic acid, 123.55 ㎍/g creatinine in methylhippuric acid, and 190.82 ㎍/g creatinine in mandelic acid. The concentration of Pb in the blood and Cd and t, t-MA in the urine of residents within affected area of the CFPP showed statistically significant differences among distance groups. Conclusions: The concentration of urinary VOCs metabolites, especially t, t-MA, differed according to the distance groups of residents within the affected area of CFPP (p<0.05).

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 국립환경과학원(NIER-SP2020-343)의 자금 지원을 받아 수행된 결과이며, 이에 감사드립니다.

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