화력발전소 영향권 주민 거주지의 이격 거리별 중금속 및 휘발성유기화합물 대사체 노출 농도 비교 분석

Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metal Exposure Concentrations and Volatile Organic Compound Metabolites among Residents in the Affected Area According to Residential Distance from a Coal-fired Power Plant

Background: There are concerns about the health effects of various environmental pollution exposures among residents living near coal-fired power plants (CFPP). Objectives: This study attempted to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine and those of urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites according to the residential separation distance. Methods: Participants in the study totaled 334 people who have lived for more than 10 years in areas within 10 km of a CFPP. The separation distance was analyzed in quartiles by dividing it into Q1 (88 people), Q2 (89 people), Q3 (89 people), and Q4 (68 people). We explained the purpose of this study to the participants and collected blood and urine after obtaining signatures on a participation agreement. Results: The study participants were 102 males (30.5%) and 232 females (69.5%), with an average age of 71. The average length of residence and distance were 43.8 years and 4,800 meters. The geometric mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in blood and As and Cd in urine were respective 1.35 μg/dL, 1.43 μg/L, 3.16 μg/L. They were 167.88 μg/g for creatinine and 1.58 μg/g creatinine. The metabolite concentrations of VOCs were 50.67 μg/g creatinine in t, t-muconic acid (t, t-MA), 10.73 μg/g creatinine in benzyl mercapturic acid, 317.05 μg/g creatinine in phenylglyoxylic acid, 123.55 μg/g creatinine in methylhippuric acid, and 190.82 μg/g creatinine in mandelic acid. The concentration of Pb in the blood and Cd and t, t-MA in the urine of residents within affected area of the CFPP showed statistically significant differences among distance groups. Conclusions: The concentration of urinary VOCs metabolites, especially t, t-MA, differed according to the distance groups of residents within the affected area of CFPP (p<0.05).