Journal of Korean Medical Science

Korean Acad Medical Sciences (대한의학회)
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Premature Deaths Attributable to Long-term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter in the Republic of Korea

  • Kim, Jong-Hun (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Oh, In-Hwan (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Park, Jae-Hyun (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Cheong, Hae-Kwan (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2017.12.12
  • Accepted : 2018.08.12
  • Published : 2018.09.10
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Abstract

Background: Ambient fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) is the major environmental health risk factor in Korea. Exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ has been a growing public concern nationwide. With the rapid aging of the Korean population, the health effects attributable to long-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ were expected to increase further in the future. We aimed to estimate premature deaths attributable to long-term exposure to ambient $PM_{2.5}$ in Korea. Methods: A modelled estimation of long-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ was used to calculate the nationwide exposure level. Hazard ratios of long-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ were obtained from a large prospective cohort study in North America. Modified cause of death (CoD) data, which applied the garbage code reclassification algorithm, were used to calculate premature deaths attributable to long-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$. Results: From 1990 to 2013, the average population-weighted $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in Korea was $30.2{\mu}g/m^3$. The estimated number of premature deaths was 17,203 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11,056-22,772). The most common CoD was ischemic stroke (5,382; 3,101-7,403), followed by cancer of trachea, bronchus, and lung (4,958; 2,857-6,820), hemorrhagic stroke (3,452; 1,989-4,748), and ischemic heart disease (3,432; 1,383-5,358). Conclusion: Premature deaths due to long-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ accounted for 6.4% of all deaths in Korea. However, individual efforts alone cannot prevent the effects of air pollution. This disease burden study can serve as a basis for the establishment of government policies and budgets and can be used to assess the effectiveness of environmental health policies.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Ministry of Environment

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