Effect of Persistent Organic Pollutants on Human Health in South Korea: A Review of the Reported Diseases

Ladan Rokni, Mehdi Rezaei, Mahdi Rafieizonooz, Elnaz Khankhajeh, Ali Akbar Mohammadi and Shahabaldin Rezania ()
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Ladan Rokni: Asia Contents Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Mehdi Rezaei: Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Mahdi Rafieizonooz: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Yonsei-ro 50, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
Elnaz Khankhajeh: Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongneung-ro, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
Ali Akbar Mohammadi: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur 9318614139, Iran
Shahabaldin Rezania: Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) usually originate from human activities and have been released into the environment for several decades. They are highly resistant to natural decomposition and can accumulate in an organism’s tissues and in all environmental components. Due to their unique characteristics, they have an ability to bio-magnify and bio-accumulate in animals, through the food chain and via inhalation, severely endangering the health of people. As reported, the exposure of humans to POPs causes various health problems such as cancers, diabetes, birth defects, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular diseases and dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems. The residents of South Korea are likely to face a high risk of diseases because of the existence of POPs in the environment. For instance, South Korea’s atmosphere has been reported as a hotspot for POP pollution. Besides, South Koreans’ high amount of seafood consumption is considered another source of POPs. Therefore, this article reviews the status of POP contamination in food and the health impact of POPs in South Korea. Based on the findings, the most-reported diseases were obesity and diabetes, which positively correlated to age, food habits, body index, and level of exposure to POPs. In addition, cancer and metabolic diseases are at an alarming level. Therefore, the public health impacts of POPs need continuous assessment in South Korea over the next decade.

Keywords: persistent organic pollutants; human health; diseases; South Korea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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