Sejong, May 18 - The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER, President Kim Dong-jin), an affiliate of the Ministry of Environment, has announced the release of the results from the third phase of the Survey on Environmental Pollution and Its Effects on Citizens' Health, conducted from 2018 to 2022. On May 17, a survey on the health effects experienced by people living near nine industrial complexes1 across the country, such as Gwangyang, Ulsan, and Pohang, will be released on the Ministry's Environment Digital Library (library.me.go.kr).

The health effects survey was divided into three main parts: ◆Research on pollution levels in the environment around industrial complexes, including air pollution. ◆Study of concentrations of hazardous substances in the human body.◆Analysis of health conditions. The air quality around industrial complexes like Pohang and Ulsan has been discovered to contain concentrations of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) slightly higher than the air quality standards. However, they still fall below the air quality standards for lead (0.5 μg/m³) and benzene (1.5 ppb). It indicates that facility management and environmental improvement measures must be enhanced.

A study was conducted to measure the levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury in the human body. Out of the 2,099 survey participants, 98% had levels below the international reference values2 set by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the NIER will be conducting additional investigations on the remaining 2% (45 people) who had higher levels, including assessing their exposure levels and pathways, providing advice on reducing the concentrations, and conducting health diagnostics.

Examining 29 chronic diseases, including chronic lower respiratory diseases, revealed that 18-29 types of these diseases showed similar levels compared to reference areas3. However, as there are various causes of diseases, such as lifestyle habits and age, the NIER plans to conduct further investigations on other diseases, such as other upper respiratory diseases4, that showed relatively higher occurrence rates in industrial complexes.

Over the next few years, the government plans to take several actions to improve the environment and health in industrial areas. These actions will include enhanced inspections and management of emission facilities, proactive measures to protect citizens' health by managing hazardous substances in the body, tracking diseases, and providing health diagnostic services, and continuous monitoring of these regions' environmental and health effects from 2023 to 2027.

1 National industrial complexes (Gwangyang, Sihwa, Banwol, Yeosu, Ulsan, Onsan, Pohang), general industrial complexes (Daesan, Cheongju)

2 Concentration levels identified as requiring monitoring and reduction measures for health protection when exceeded

3 Areas outside the industrial complexes (within an approximate radius of 5 km, considering atmospheric modeling, etc.) where population and socio-environmental factors are similar to the industrial complexes. 

4 Other upper respiratory diseases (in areas such as Gwangyang, Sihwa, Banwol, Pohang, and Cheongju) and chronic lower respiratory diseases (in areas such as Gwangyang, Ulsan, and Cheongju)

Contact: Koh Nathan, Deputy Director

Environmental Damage Relief Division / +82-(0)44-201-6815

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr