1. Need for Research and Objectives
Hazardous air pollutants, when exposed to humans over long periods at low concentrations, can cause severe health issues such as cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and mutations, necessitating continuous management. In South Korea, the mortality rate from lung cancer is the highest among all cancers, and globally, it has been reported that 29% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to air pollutants. Despite this situation, the assessment system for the health risks of hazardous air pollutants in South Korea is inadequate compared to management systems in countries like the United States, particularly in considering human health. Moreover, the implementation of risk-based policies is insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to establish a health risk assessment system for hazardous air pollutants and create a management foundation to develop strategies focused on reducing risks associated with these pollutants, prioritizing human health.
2. Analysis of the Health Risk Assessment Systems for Hazardous Air Pollutants
To understand the current status of health risk assessment systems for hazardous air pollutants, this study investigated and analyzed the assessment frameworks and policy applications both domestically and internationally. Based on this analysis, we sought to identify applicable assessment elements, procedures, and utilization strategies. Specifically, we examined the criteria for selecting hazardous air pollutants in S ...