Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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A Study on Heavy Metals Exposure and Major Sociodemographic Influence Factors among Korean Adults - Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2009-2017) -

우리나라 성인의 체내 중금속 3종에 대한 노출수준과 주요 인구사회학적 영향요인에 관한 연구 - 제1~3기 국민환경보건 기초조사(2009-2017) 결과 -

  • Joo, Youngkyung (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Kwon, Young Min (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Kim, Sung Yeon (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Choi, Kyungho (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Chulwoo (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Yu, Seung Do (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Yoo, Jiyoung (Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research)
  • 주영경 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 권영민 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 김성연 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 최경호 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 이철우 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 유승도 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과) ;
  • 유지영 (국립환경과학원 환경보건연구과)
  • Received : 2019.09.17
  • Accepted : 2019.10.15
  • Published : 2019.10.31
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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine heavy metal exposure levels in the blood and urine of a nationally representative adult population in Korea, and to identify the major influence factors for exposure through linkage analysis using questionnaire data. Methods: Biological samples and questionnaire data were collected from adults aged 18 and over who had participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey from 2009 to 2017. Lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure levels were presented with geometric mean and 95th percentiles. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. Results: Blood lead levels increased slightly in Cycle 2 compared to Cycle 1, but decreased in Cycle 3. Blood and urinary mercury and urinary cadmium levels decreased over time. The main influence factors included gender, age, and smoking status for blood lead levels; gender, age, and intake of fish at least once a week for blood mercury levels; and age for urinary cadmium levels. Conclusion: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey is an effective tool for confirming over-time changes in exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium in Korean adults and to identify its influence factors. The results of this study are expected to present basic data for calculating reference values and baseline exposure levels for environmental chemicals in Korean adults.

Keywords

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