The effect of air pollution on human health is an issue of our growing concern and a number of studies have established a qualitative link between pollution and ill health.
Though relatively small in number, the studies of isolating health effects and measuring the quantitative association between pollution and health have been tried through epidemiological approach such as determining the amount of morbidity or mortality for specific disease that can be ascribed to air pollution.
To explore the possibly existing effects of air pollution on human health in Korea, the authors have made a preliminary study on the morbidity pattern of respiratory disease by areas which vary in amount of pollution.
The health insurance outpatient records submitted for the medical fee reimbursement were used for measuring the morbidity level.
Only the female dependents insured were selected for the study as most of them are non-smoker and are also less likely to be explored to a peculiar professional environmental pollution.
A total of 369,285 outpatient records submitted during the period of March to August, 1980 have been used for the analysis.
The number of records by three selected areas and the level of pollution express in terms of S02 concentration are as follows.
Area Seoul Ulsan Cheongju
No. of records 348,170 19,033 2,082
S02 concentration (1979) 50-100 ppb 20-90 ppb <5 ppb
The following are the summary of the findings.
1) Of all outpatients the proportions of respiratory patients by areas and seasons turned out to be as shown in the following table.
Seoul Ulsan Cheongju
In winter season 42.3% 41.4% 37.1%
In summer season 41.50 39.2% 33.40
The difference between proportions were statistically significant indicating positive relation between respiratory incidents and air pollution.
2) The higher significant difference could be observed among the group of children less than 15 years of age and aged group of over 60.
3) The average number of visiting clinic due to respiratory disease by areas also revealed a positive relationship with pollution levels as shown below.
Average number of visiting clinic due to respiratory disease per 1,000
Seoul Ulsan Cheongju
76.3 73.7 64.0
The findings may be taken as warning signs that the ail- pollution of metropolitan and industrial complex are as in this country has reached the level which already has started to have´some influence on human health.
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