Monitoring the Direct Impact of Exposure Distance of Complex Industrial Air Pollutant on Chronic Respiratory Diseases of Local Residents in Korea

Abstract: The results of a detailed examination of sources of air pollutants within the primary category of emission sources, i.e., manufacturing combustion and processes, energy transportation and storage, waste treatment, agriculture, and other pollutants—confirm a classification technique for emission sources. The aim of the study was to identify respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat and nasal discomfort, and shortness of breath as the most common signs of air pollution. As a result, the main wind direction in spring and summer is southwest, with significant east and south winds. The results of measurements around Factory A, which has a high epidemiological correlation with Hwagok-ri and the village hall through the factory with high benzene concentration (average high concentration [11 cases] 0.82±0.46 ppb), and around Workplace B in Dokgot-ri and the village hall (average high concentration [8 cases] 32.29±19.73) were confirmed. With respect to respiratory diseases among other chronic diseases of the participants who lived in industrial complex areas for more than 5 years, the incidence of acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06) was significantly higher in the medium-exposure area (84.16 %) than in the control area (82.71 %). The conclusion is that respiratory diseases occur due to the severity of air pollution in the areas surrounding industrial sites.