• Sang-Yong Eom, Boeun Lee, Seonmi Hong, Young-Seoub Hong, Kyung-Hwa Choi, Ho-Jang Kwon, Mira Yoon, Youn-Seok Kang, Jun Hee Lee, Yong-Dae Kim, and Heon Kim.
• Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2023 Sep 18; 38 (37): e289e289.

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate exposure to various hazardous substances emitted by incineration facilities and their likely effect on the health for residents of Bugi-myeon, Cheongju, Korea, which has three incineration facilities.MethodsHeavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxin concentrations in the air and soil of exposed and control areas were measured. Moreover, the exposure levels to harmful substances and its effects on health were investigated in 1,124 exposed and 232 control adults.ResultsPAHs and dioxin concentrations in the air in the exposed area were significantly higher than in the control area. Urinary cadmium and PAHs metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group. The exposure group also had a higher prevalence of depression and self-reported allergic symptoms than the control group.ConclusionThe possibility of residents in Bugi-myeon being exposed to hazardous substances at incineration facilities cannot be ruled out. To prevent them from further exposure to hazardous substances, it is necessary to prohibit the expansion of additional incineration facilities in this area and to implement continuous monitoring projects for residents.© 2023 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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