Kim Ho-Hyun
Department of Nano-Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, SeoKyeong University, 139, Seogyeong-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02717, Republic of Korea.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Apr 23;22(5):666. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22050666.
New evidence suggests that industrial areas may have a negative impact on the chronic respiratory disease burden among residents who live more than 10 km away compared to residents who live within at least 5 km. The main cause of air pollution in factories was found to be benzene, and its regional relevance was confirmed. This is the result of many studies confirming that benzene is a substance that directly affects the respiratory system, and we aim to maintain continuous observation in the future. Using South Korean health insurance data, we retrospectively followed a cohort of residents living near a factory and monitored them from 2002 to 2022. The aim of this study was to identify respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, nasal discomfort, and shortness of breath, as the most common signs of air pollution. The results of the measurements around the factory location (within 1 km) showed a high epidemiological correlation with Hwagok-ri and the village hall due to the high benzene concentration (average high concentration (11 cases) of 0.82 ± 0.46 ppb) at the factory, as well as around the business location (within 1 km) in Dokgot-ri and the village hall (average high concentration (8 cases) of 32.29 ± 19.73). The conclusion is that respiratory diseases are linked to the severity of air pollution in the areas surrounding this industrial complex.
新证据表明，与居住在至少5公里范围内的居民相比，工业区可能会对居住在10公里以外的居民的慢性呼吸道疾病负担产生负面影响。研究发现工厂空气污染的主要原因是苯，并证实了其区域相关性。这是许多研究证实苯是一种直接影响呼吸系统的物质的结果，我们旨在未来持续进行观察。利用韩国医疗保险数据，我们对一组居住在工厂附近的居民进行了回顾性追踪，并在2002年至2022年期间对他们进行了监测。本研究的目的是确定咳嗽、喉咙痛、鼻腔不适和呼吸急促等呼吸道症状是空气污染最常见的迹象。工厂所在地（1公里范围内）的测量结果显示，由于工厂以及独谷里商业区所在地（1公里范围内）和村公所的苯浓度较高（工厂平均高浓度（11例）为0.82±0.46 ppb），与花谷里和村公所存在高度的流行病学相关性（独谷里和村公所平均高浓度（8例）为32.29±19.73）。结论是，呼吸道疾病与该工业园区周边地区空气污染的严重程度有关。
