Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea
Abstract Rapid industrialization has intensified chemical emissions, raising urgent concerns about carcinogenic risks to surrounding communities. This study assessed the spatial distribution of industrial facilities emitting chemicals in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea, with a particular focu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11736-x |
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| author | Yeowool Choi Hyewon Kim Tae-Yong Jeong Sang Don Kim |
| author_facet | Yeowool Choi Hyewon Kim Tae-Yong Jeong Sang Don Kim |
| author_sort | Yeowool Choi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Rapid industrialization has intensified chemical emissions, raising urgent concerns about carcinogenic risks to surrounding communities. This study assessed the spatial distribution of industrial facilities emitting chemicals in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea, with a particular focus on Group 1 carcinogens. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and multimedia exposure model (SimpleBox), we estimated exposure levels and cancer risks for residents within a 1-km radius of industrial facilities. The results demonstrated that approximately 22% of the region’s population resides near chemical emission sources, with vulnerable facilities, including kindergartens, elementary schools, and medical institutions, located in these affected areas. Of particular concern, 9.4% of residents are potentially exposed to Group 1 carcinogens, including formaldehyde, benzene, chromium compounds, trichloroethylene, and cadmium compounds. Cancer risk assessments for chromium and cadmium compounds exceeded EPA management standards. This research underscores the urgent need for enhanced emission management policies at industrial facilities, the establishment of protective buffer zones, and strengthened collaboration between local communities and industries to mitigate these significant health risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbdf6d4f6a1c4736a7063c4e430b33f6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbdf6d4f6a1c4736a7063c4e430b33f62025-08-20T03:04:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-11736-xExposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South KoreaYeowool Choi0Hyewon Kim1Tae-Yong Jeong2Sang Don Kim3Department of Economic and Environmental Research, The Incheon InstituteSchool of Environment and Energy Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Science, Hankuk University of Foreign StudiesSchool of Environment and Energy Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyAbstract Rapid industrialization has intensified chemical emissions, raising urgent concerns about carcinogenic risks to surrounding communities. This study assessed the spatial distribution of industrial facilities emitting chemicals in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea, with a particular focus on Group 1 carcinogens. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and multimedia exposure model (SimpleBox), we estimated exposure levels and cancer risks for residents within a 1-km radius of industrial facilities. The results demonstrated that approximately 22% of the region’s population resides near chemical emission sources, with vulnerable facilities, including kindergartens, elementary schools, and medical institutions, located in these affected areas. Of particular concern, 9.4% of residents are potentially exposed to Group 1 carcinogens, including formaldehyde, benzene, chromium compounds, trichloroethylene, and cadmium compounds. Cancer risk assessments for chromium and cadmium compounds exceeded EPA management standards. This research underscores the urgent need for enhanced emission management policies at industrial facilities, the establishment of protective buffer zones, and strengthened collaboration between local communities and industries to mitigate these significant health risks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11736-xIndustrial chemicalGroup 1 carcinogensGIS analysisVulnerable groupCancer risk assessment |
| spellingShingle | Yeowool Choi Hyewon Kim Tae-Yong Jeong Sang Don Kim Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea Scientific Reports Industrial chemical Group 1 carcinogens GIS analysis Vulnerable group Cancer risk assessment |
| title | Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea |
| title_full | Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea |
| title_short | Exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon, South Korea |
| title_sort | exposure assessment and carcinogenic risk characterization of industrial chemical emissions in incheon south korea |
| topic | Industrial chemical Group 1 carcinogens GIS analysis Vulnerable group Cancer risk assessment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11736-x |
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