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Spatial analysis of PM10 and cardiovascular mortality in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Yu Ra LIM ; Hyun Joo BAE ; Youn Hee LIM ; Seungdo YU ; Geun Bae KIM ; Yong Sung CHO

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2014;29(1):e2014005-. doi:10.5620/eht.2014.29.e2014005

OBJECTIVES: Numerous studies have revealed the adverse health effects of acute and chronic exposure to particulate matter less than 10 mum in aerodynamic diameter (PM10). The aim of the present study was to examine the spatial distribution of PM10 concentrations and cardiovascular mortality and to investigate the spatial correlation between PM10 and cardiovascular mortality using spatial scan statistic (SaTScan) and a regression model. METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, the spatial distribution of PM10 in the Seoul metropolitan area was examined via kriging. In addition, a group of cardiovascular mortality cases was analyzed using SaTScan-based cluster exploration. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was applied to investigate the correlation between PM10 concentrations and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: An examination of the regional distribution of the cardiovascular mortality was higher in provincial districts (gu) belonging to Incheon and the northern part of Gyeonggido than in other regions. In a comparison of PM10 concentrations and mortality cluster (MC) regions, all those belonging to MC 1 and MC 2 were found to belong to particulate matter (PM) 1 and PM 2 with high concentrations of air pollutants. In addition, the GWR showed that PM10 has a statistically significant relation to cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: To investigate the relation between air pollution and health impact, spatial analyses can be utilized based on kriging, cluster exploration, and GWR for a more systematic and quantitative analysis. It has been proven that cardiovascular mortality is spatially related to the concentration of PM10.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution ; Gyeonggi-do ; Incheon ; Mortality* ; Particulate Matter ; Seoul ; Spatial Analysis*

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Risk and culture: variations in dioxin risk perceptions, behavioral preferences among social groups in South Korea.

Seohyun PARK ; Jong Guk KIM

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2014;29(1):e2014013-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2014013

OBJECTIVES: This study examined variations in the perceptions of dioxin risk among social groups defined by geographical living location, environmental education, and occupation. Dioxin risk perceptions were analyzed according to values, risk awareness, knowledge, and behavioral preferences. METHODS: A quasi-experimental survey was designed and conducted on individuals from seven experimental groups in Jeonju city, South Korea, including: people living near incineration facilities; people living far from incineration facilities; governmental experts; nongovernmental organization members; office workers in developmental institutes or banks; students who were enrolled in environmental-related classes; and students who were enrolled in business-related classes. RESULTS: The results show variations among groups in values, awareness and behavioral preferences. Particular attention should be given to the result that groups with higher connectedness- to-nature values show higher willingness-to-act (WTA) for risk reduction. Result s can be summarized as follows. First, awareness is associated with one's geographical setting. Second, values and WTA behaviors are related to one's environmental-related education and occupation. Third, values are significantly related to WTA behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Different cultures, in terms of values or worldview, among groups influence their perceptions of dioxin risk and choices of risk reduction behaviors. It is important to consider values in communicating complicated long-term risk management involving public participation. Further research should be continuously conducted on the effects of multiple dimensions of values on one's WTA for risk reduction behaviors.
Academies and Institutes ; Consumer Participation ; Education ; Humans ; Incineration ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Occupations ; Risk Management ; Risk Reduction Behavior

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Association between exposure to antimicrobial household products and allergic symptoms.

Soyoung HONG ; Ho Jang KWON ; Won Jun CHOI ; Wan Ryung LIM ; Jeonghoon KIM ; Kyoosang KIM

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2014;29(1):e2014017-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2014017

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial chemicals are used in a variety of household and personal care products. Exposure to antimicrobial household products has been hypothesized to lead to allergic diseases in children. METHODS: We investigated antimicrobial household product exposure and allergic symptoms in Korean children. An antimicrobial exposure (AE) score was derived. To examine the symptoms of allergic diseases (current wheeze, current rhinitis, and current eczema) in the past 12 months, we used a questionnaire based on the core module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. Complete data for the analysis were available for 25,805 of the 35,590 (72.5%) children. RESULTS: The prevalence of current allergic diseases was as follows: wheeze, 5.6%; allergic rhinitis, 32.6%; and eczema, 17.7%. The mean (standard deviation) AE score was 14.3 (9.3) (range: 0-40). Compared with subjects with a low AE score (reference), subjects with a high AE score (fourth quartile) were more likely to have symptoms of wheezing and allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for wheezing 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.45, p for trend=0.24; aOR for allergic rhinitis 1.30, 95% CI, 1.20-1.40, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that frequent use of antimicrobial household products was associated with current wheeze and current allergic rhinitis.
Asthma ; Child ; Eczema ; Family Characteristics ; Household Products* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Rhinitis ; Triclosan ; Surveys and Questionnaires

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Study on the biodegradation of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and PFOS alternatives.

Bongin CHOI ; Suk Hyun NA ; Jun Hyo SON ; Dong Soo SHIN ; Byung Taek RYU ; Kyun Suk BYEON ; Seon yong CHUNG

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016002-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016002

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the biodegradation features of 4 perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) alternatives developed at Changwon National University compared to those of PFOS. METHODS: Biodegradation testing was performed with microorganisms cultured in the good laboratory practice laboratory of the Korea Environment Corporation for 28 days following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines for the testing of chemicals (Test No. 301 C). RESULTS: While C₈F₁₇SO₃Na, PFOS sodium salt was not degraded after 28 days, the 4 alternatives were biodegraded at the rates of 20.9% for C₁₅F₉H₂₁S₂O₈Na₂, 8.4% for C₁₇F₉H ₂₅S₂O₈Na₂, 22.6% for C₂₃F₁₈H₂₈S₂O₈Na₂, and 23.6% for C₂₅F₁₇H₃₂O₁₃S₃Na₃. CONCLUSIONS: C₂₅F₁₇H₃₂S₃O₁₃Na₃, C₂₃F₁₈H₂₈S₂O₈Na₂, and C₁₅F₉H₂₁S₂O₈Na₂ were superior to PFOS in terms of biodegradation rates and surface tension, and thus they were considered highly applicable as PFOS alternatives. Environmental toxicity, human toxicity, and economic feasibility of these compounds should be investigated prior to their commercialization.
Gyeongsangnam-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ; Sodium ; Surface Tension

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Are we being exposed to radiation in the hospital?.

Yeonghee KIM

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016005-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016005

No abstract available.

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Level of radiation dose in university hospital non-insured private health screening programs in Korea.

Yun Keun LEE

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016007-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016007

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate radiation exposure resulting from the comprehensive health examinations of selected university hospital programs and to present basic data for research and management strategies on the health effects of medical radiation exposure. METHODS: Radiation-based diagnostic studies of the comprehensive health examination programs of ten university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, as introduced in their websites, were analyzed. The medical radiation studies of the programs were reviewed by radiologists. Only the effective doses of the basic studies were included in the analysis. The optional studies of the programs were excluded. RESULTS: Among the 190 comprehensive health examination programs, 132 programs (69.5%) included computed tomography studies, with an average of 1.4 scans. The average effective dose of radiation by program was 3.62 mSv for an intensive program for specific diseases; 11.12 mSv for an intensive program for cancer; 18.14 mSv for a premium program; and 24.08 mSv for an overnight program. A higher cost of a programs was linked to a higher effective dose (r=0.812). The effective doses of the examination programs for the same purposes differed by as much as 2.1 times by hospital. Inclusion of positron emission tomography–computed tomography was the most critical factor in determining the level of effective dose. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that radiation exposure dose from comprehensive health exam programs targeted for an asymptomatic, healthy public reached between 3.6 and 24 times the annual dose limit for the general public. Relevant management policies at the national level should be provided to minimize medical radiation exposure.
Electrons ; Hospitals, University ; Korea* ; Mass Screening* ; Radiation Exposure ; Seoul

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Time to change from a simple linear model to a complex systems model.

Yun Chul HONG

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016008-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016008

A simple linear model to test the hypothesis based on one-on-one relationship has been used to find the causative factors of diseases. However, we now know that not just one, but many factors from different systems such as chemical exposure, genes, epigenetic changes, and proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. So, with availability of modern technologies to understand the intricate nature of relations among complex systems, we need to move forward to the future by taking complex systems model.
Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epigenomics ; Linear Models*

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Analysis of lysosomal membrane proteins exposed to melanin in HeLa cells.

Seung Hyuck BANG ; Dong Jun PARK ; Yang Hoon KIM ; Jiho MIN

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016009-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016009

OBJECTIVES: There have been developed to use targeting ability for antimicrobial, anticancerous, gene therapy and cosmetics through analysis of various membrane proteins isolated from cell organelles. METHODS: It was examined about the lysosomal membrane protein extracted from lysosome isolated from HeLa cell treated by 100 ppm melanin for 24 hours in order to find associated with targeting ability to melanin using by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. RESULTS: The result showed 14 up-regulated (1.5-fold) and 13 down-regulated (2.0-fold) spots in relation to melanin exposure. CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that lysosomal membrane proteins are associated with melanin to decolorize and quantity through cellular activation of lysosome.
Electrophoresis ; Genetic Therapy ; HeLa Cells* ; Humans ; Lysosome-Associated Membrane Glycoproteins* ; Lysosomes ; Melanins* ; Membrane Proteins ; Organelles

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The effects of the standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba on steroidogenesis pathways and aromatase activity in H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cells.

Mijie KIM ; Yong Joo PARK ; Huiyeon AHN ; Byeonghak MOON ; Kyu Hyuck CHUNG ; Seung Min OH

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016010-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016010

OBJECTIVES: Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. METHODS: Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSD2 and 17β-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. RESULTS: H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and 100 μg/mL) showed a significant decrease in 17β-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and 17β-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/ Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and 17β-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in 17β-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.
Adrenocortical Carcinoma* ; Aldosterone ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; Aromatase* ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; Clinical Coding ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Estrogens ; Exons ; Ginkgo biloba* ; Humans* ; Hydrocortisone ; Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; In Vitro Techniques ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testosterone ; Therapeutic Uses

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An analysis of a humidifier disinfectant case from a toxicological perspective.

Kwangsik PARK

Environmental Health and Toxicology.2016;31(1):e2016013-. doi:10.5620/eht.e2016013

An analysis of patients and fatalities due to exposure to polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) shows that PHMG causes mainly lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, no research on the other organs has been conducted on this matter yet. So, an in-depth discussion on toxicological techniques is needed to determine whether or not PHMG is toxic to organs other than just the lungs. For the test of target organ toxicity by PHMG exposure, a toxicokinetic study must first be conducted. However, measurement method for PHMG injected into the body has not yet been established because it is not easy to analyze polymer PHMG, so related base studies on analytical technique for PHMG including radio-labeling chemistry must come first. Moreover, research on exposure-biomarker and effect-biomarker must also be conducted, primarily related to clinical application. Several limitations seem to be expected to apply the biomarker study to the patient because much time has passed after exposure to the humidifier disinfectant. It is why a more comprehensive toxicological researches must be introduced to the causality for the victims.
Chemistry ; Guanidine ; Humans ; Humidifiers* ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Methods ; Polymers ; Pulmonary Fibrosis

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