The Direct Effects of Air Pollutant Exposure from Industrial Complexes on Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Local Residents: A Population-Based Cohort Study

New evidence suggests that industrial areas may have a negative impact on the chronic respiratory disease burden among residents who live more than 10 km away compared to residents who live within at least 5 km. The main cause of air pollution in factories was found to be benzene, and its regional relevance was confirmed. This is the result of many studies confirming that benzene is a substance that directly affects the respiratory system, and we aim to maintain continuous observation in the future. Using South Korean health insurance data, we retrospectively followed a cohort of residents living near a factory and monitored them from 2002 to 2022. The aim of this study was to identify respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, nasal discomfort, and shortness of breath, as the most common signs of air pollution. The results of the measurements around the factory location (within 1 km) showed a high epidemiological correlation with Hwagok-ri and the village hall due to the high benzene concentration (average high concentration (11 cases) of 0.82 ± 0.46 ppb) at the factory, as well as around the business location (within 1 km) in Dokgot-ri and the village hall (average high concentration (8 cases) of 32.29 ± 19.73). The conclusion is that respiratory diseases are linked to the severity of air pollution in the areas surrounding this industrial complex.