Air Pollution And Health Impacts In South Korea From 2010 ✓ Solved

Air Pollution and Health Impacts in South Korea from 2010 to

In this paper, the research topic focuses on determining the impact of air pollution on public health in South Korea from 2010 to 2020. Air pollution is a major health concern in South Korea and globally. It leads to individuals being exposed to high levels of toxicants in the atmosphere. This adversely impacts their health as everyone is prone to contracting various infections. Therefore, exposure to air pollutants leads to both short- and long-term health effects on individuals, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, especially chronic illnesses.

Research Question

How do the current patterns of air pollution contribute to various public health issues in South Korea?

Outline

Air pollution in South Korea continues to worsen, significantly impacting the well-being of its citizens. This situation arises from various factors primarily driven by human activities, resulting in toxicological effects on health and the environment. The consequences of air pollution include the progression of multiple diseases, such as asthma, cardiac issues, Parkinson's disease, and psychological complications.

Research Question Significance

The research question is crucial for the study as it provides a significant platform for exploring public health issues and the contributions of air pollution. Human actions, particularly in the industrialization sector, have led to increased emissions of toxicants into the atmosphere. Moreover, inadequate regulation of various emissions by the relevant authorities has exacerbated air pollution levels in South Korea. Seoul, for instance, stands as one of the major cities experiencing the highest rates of air pollution, as documented by various studies.

Major Air Pollution Causes in South Korea

In South Korea, air quality is monitored for six pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO (NASA, 2016). Among these, particulate matter (PM) poses the most significant risk, especially particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, presenting severe threats to public health. According to Donald (2019), the proliferation of yellow dust from China substantially contributes to South Korea's air pollution. Additionally, industrial emissions, including those from manufacturing factories and coal-fired power plants, significantly escalate pollution levels.

Studies by Park and Han (2014) estimate that long-range transport of air pollutants from China accounts for approximately 26-30% of annual PM10 levels in South Korea. Furthermore, increased vehicle traffic, factory emissions, and inadequately treated gases escalate pollution rates (Hermes, 2012; Oh, Yoo & Yoo, 2019). Weather patterns such as Asian dust storms and prevailing winds during dry seasons also augment the concentration of air pollutants, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates linked to respiratory diseases (Park et al., 2015).

Public Health Issues Caused by Air Pollution

The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes approximately 7 million deaths globally each year (WHO, 2014). The correlation between pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and chronic respiratory diseases underscores the severe health risks associated with poor air quality. Research by Leem, Kim & Kim (2015) indicates that in 2010, air pollution accounted for 15.9% of total mortality in the Seoul metropolitan area, translating to approximately 15,346 attributable deaths.

Particulate air pollution notably resulted in 12,511 hospitalizations for respiratory diseases, 20,490 new adult cases of chronic bronchitis, and 278,346 acute bronchitis cases among children. These figures highlight the acute public health crisis fueled by ongoing pollution.

Proposed Alternatives

Potential strategies to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution include recommending the use of pollution masks (Rafaj et al., 2018) and promoting air purifiers within homes and vehicles. While these solutions offer long-term benefits, their costs may hinder accessibility for lower-income households (Trnka, 2020). Furthermore, implementing stringent governmental policies and regulations can substantially improve air quality. This may encompass modernizing purification systems, regulating vehicular emissions, and overseeing industrial activities (Oh, Yoo & Yoo, 2019).

Conclusion

In summary, air pollution in South Korea poses a significant threat to public health. The continuing environmental degradation driven by industrial activities and inadequate regulatory responses necessitates immediate attention. By understanding the implications of air pollution and implementing effective strategies, it is possible to reduce its detrimental health effects and work towards a cleaner, healthier future.

References

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