3 days Ago By Korea Bizwire
A worker holds a baby at a public postnatal care center in Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 26, 2023. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, Dec.
31 (Korea Bizwire) — A national environmental health study has revealed that South Korean infants and toddlers have slightly higher concentrations of plastic-softening chemicals in their bodies compared to adults, though the levels remain well below international safety guidelines. The findings, released on December 30 by the National Institute of Environmental Research, come from the agency’s “Fifth National Environmental Health Survey” conducted from 2021 to 2023. The comprehensive study analyzed blood and urine samples from 6,608 citizens aged 3 and above across 250 regions and 190 childcare and educational institutions, testing for 64 different environmental toxins.
Overall, the research showed that levels of environmental toxins in the Korean population have either decreased or remained stable compared to previous surveys. Blood levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury have been declining since the first survey, while urinary cadmium levels were found to be below health advisory thresholds. Metabolites of DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), a common plasticizer, showed declining trends across all age groups since the initial survey.
However, concentrations were notably higher in younger age groups, with infants and toddlers showing levels two to three times higher than adults. Researchers attribute this to children’s higher food intake and respiratory rates relative to body weight, along with behaviors like mouthing toys and playing on floors. The study also found decreasing levels of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), a chemical used in waterproofing and coating, among adults and secondary school students since the fourth survey period.
Levels of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and three other related compounds remained stable, with all measured concentrations falling below health advisory levels. Given the persistent nature of these compounds in the human body, the next survey cycle (2024-2026) will expand monitoring from 5 to 12 different perfluorinated compounds. The fifth survey also newly examined 25 persistent organic pollutants, including PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
The complete findings will be made public in January on the Korean Statistical Information Service website(kosis.kr) and the Environmental Statistics Portal (stat.me.
go.kr). M.
H. Lee ([email protected]).
