Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the environmental awareness and health impact of respiratory diseases among residents in the exposure area (Banwoldong) and the control area. Additionally, it sought to identify the correlation between environmental factors in the exposure area and their effects on health. Methods: This study utilized a 2021 survey of 20 residents to assess environmental awareness using a 5-point Likert scale. The measurement of indoor particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), temperature, and humidity was conducted using a direct-reading laser light scattering device, the DT-9881M (SANE Cal. Co., Ltd., Korea). Additionally, a cohort analysis was conducted using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data (2002~2022) to evaluate the onset of chronic disease, focusing on residency and diagnostic records. Results: In the environmental awareness assessment, women showed a statistically significantly higher level of awareness than men regarding water pollution (p=0.0039) and soil pollution (p=0.007). Also, the incidence of respiratory diseases and asthma was statistically significantly higher in the exposure area than in the control area (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study found significantly higher rates of respiratory diseases in the exposure area compared to the control area. Long-term exposure (≥5 years) to environmental factors in the exposure area was found to be associated with a greater health impact. This suggests a strong link between environmental factors and respiratory diseases. The results emphasize the need for region-specific environmental policies to address pollution-related health disparities.

Mold caused by indoor temperature and humidity is related to inflammatory reactions such as rhinitis, asthma, and allergic skin diseases. The subjects were children aged 3-7 in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. For indoor environmental measurement, a mold collection medium was installed on the sampling device and samples were collected at 28.3 L/min for 7 minutes. The sampling device was installed at a height of 1.2 m to 1.5 m above the ground to collect samples. The demographic characteristics of the children in the 90 households that participated in the survey were 53 males (58.9%) and 37 females (41.1%). The majority of the children were 5 years old (26 people or 28.9%), followed by 6 year olds (23 people or 25.6%), 7 year olds (18 people or 20.0%), 4 year olds (18 people or 20.0%), and 8 year olds (5 people or 5.6%). Among the characteristics listed on the questionnaire, 11 children (12.2%) were diagnosed with asthma, and 63 subjects (70%) had not been diagnosed by a doctor in the past 12 months. Regarding symptoms exhibited by the parents, 4 fathers (4.5%) and 2 mothers (2.2%) had symptoms. In the relationship between asthma and the concentration of other indoor environmental substances, the average concentration of mold was 57.0 CFU/m3 for non-asthmatics and 14.5 CFU/m3 for asthmatics, showing a statistically significant difference. The average concentration of house dust mites was 338.9 ng/g in non-asthmatics and 79.5 ng/g in asthmatics, showing a statistically significant difference.

As indoor activities continue to increase, the importance of indoor air is emphasized. Moreover, children's activities are emphasized as being vulnerable. In this study, vocal organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2 in the indoor air were analyzed among children aged 4 to 7 years attending day care centers in Seoul. In the case of VOCs, the average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in an asthmatic home was 143.9 (μg/m3). The average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthma and rhinitis home was 146.7 (μg/m3). In CO2, the average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthmatic home was 665.9 (ppm). The average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthma and rhinitis home was 695.9 (ppm). In this study, asthma symptoms increased as the concentration of indoor pollutants increased. Exposure of VOCs (μg/ m3) and CO2 (ppm) among environmental factors shows that respiratory symptoms such as asthma can be induced.