The Effects of Indoor Air Quality on the Neurobehavioral Performance of Elementary School Children / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Most studies on the indoor air quality of newly built schools have focused only on the number of schools exceeding a standard or on subjective symptoms, such as sneezing, irritated eyes and an irritated nose. However, there has been no report on how poor indoor air quality affects children's academic performance. This study evaluated the effects of indoor air quality on the neurobehavioral performance of elementary school children. METHODS: This study measured the indoor air pollutants and compared children's performance, using a computerized neurobehavioral test, between a newly built and a 12-year-old school. In addition, a questionnaire was administered regarding the indoor air quality related symptoms of children in a newly built and a 12-year-old school. RESULTS: In the newly built school, the formaldehyde levels in the 1st and 4th classes with an open window were 34.6 and 27.3 microgram/m3, respectively. The levels in the 1st and 4th classes with the window closed were 80.2 and 127.1 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 12-year-old school, the formaldehyde levels in 1st and 4th class with open and closed window were 12.6 and 7.5 microgram/m3, and 19.8 and 25.2 microgram/m3, respectively. With respect to total volatile organic compounds, the levels in the 1st and 4th classes with the window open in the newly built school were 87.2 and 428.2 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 1st and 4th classes with the window closed, the total volatile organic compounds were 1,283.5 and 1,715.4 microgram/m3, respectively. In the 12-year-old school, the total volatile organic compounds were 240.9 and 150.8 microgram/m3, and 371.9 and 448.0 microgram/m3 in the 1st and 4th classes, respectively. In the case of a newly built school, the performance of the students in the neurobehavioral test in the 4th class with the window closed was 8.3% lower than for those in the 1st class with the window closed, but was only 5.9% lower when the windows were open. There was a statistical significant difference in the total numbers of symptoms between the two schools. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a proper evaluation of the indoor air quality within schools is required into both the level of contamination and the health effects of these contaminants toward children.

Blood Pb, Urine Cd and Health Assessment of Residents in the Vicinity of Abandoned Mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this health assessment is to evaluate the health risks that may result from exposure to abandoned mine tailings in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1930's until 1970. METHODS: The soil, stream water, and drinking water in and around three abandoned mine areas, Soochul, Gumjang, Darock, and three control areas located in Gyeongsangbuk-do were analyzed for level of Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg. Potential chronic health effects were evaluated by interview and medical examination. RESULTS: Some soil and stream samples exceeded the Korean standard for soil contamination in farmland and the Korean standard of water contamination in streams respectively. Blood lead (5.37 microgram/dl) and urine cadmium (2.79 microgram/g Cr) levels of the residents in the vicinity of the abandoned mine sites were significantly higher than of the residents in the control areas (blood lead, 4.34 microgram/dl; urine cadmium, 1.62 microgram/g Cr). There were no significant differences between the mining and control areas in terms of blood pressure, Hb, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, fasting blood sugar, and the prevalence of potential chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the assessment suggested that the three abandoned mine sites do not pose an apparent health risk to nearby residents. Nevertheless, the elevated blood lead and urine cadmium levels in the residents of the abandoned mine site suggested that it might be an important source of heavy metals contamination. Therefore, a nationwide evaluation program is needed to assess the potential health risks of residents living in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites.