Distribution of volatile organic compounds around Ulsan Industrial Complexes and its possible health impact on the residents; a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background The Republic of Korea has undergone rapid industrialization, and still, the manufacturing sector mainly contributes to the economy. Ulsan is well known as the industrial city where two large-scale industrial complexes are located, and both have petrochemical and refining industries within them. Several studies have reported high ambient air pollution near petrochemical industries. Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are one of the air pollutants emitted from the petrochemical industry known to pose adverse health effects on workers. However, studies on the impact of chronic exposure to low VOCs level are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to see the VOCs level near the industrial complexes and analyze the health impact. Method The Database based on the third phase of The Environmental Health Study in the Korean National Industrial Complexes (EHSNIC) in Ulsan conducted from 2018 to 2021 by the Environmental Health Center of Ulsan university hospital was used. Subjects were divided into the exposure and control group according to the estimated pollution level and distances from the industrial complex. Variables collected from the survey questionnaire, laboratory data, measurement data, and biological monitoring data were collected and analyzed. The VOCs levels and urinary metabolite levels were log-transformed before the statistical analysis. Result Among the total 1,234 subjects, 718 belonged to the exposure group, and 516 were in the control group. Benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were significantly higher in the exposure group. Urinary methyl hippuric acid, trans,trans-muconic acid, and mandelic acid were significantly higher in the exposure group compared to the control group, even after adjustment of the confounders. Conclusion We found out that residents living near the industrial complexes are exposed to higher VOCs levels, which is confirmed by the urinary metabolites concentration and personal monitoring VOC level. These results can draw attention to people engaged with environmental plans and used as primary data when making policies to reduce pollutant levels around industrial complexes. Trial registration: IRB No. 2018-08-020