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The fifth International Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for the Global Plastics Treaty was held in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. The treaty is the largest in scale among global efforts on environmental protection since the Paris Agreement in 2015, reflecting the rising global concerns about plastic pollution and demands for eco-friendly alternatives. In response, we aimed to identify the current state of plastic usage and its environmental impacts, discuss the strengths and limitations of eco-plastics, and suggest a direction for sustainable plastic management. In 2019, global plastic waste was estimated to reach 353 million tons, of which only 9% was recycled. Non-recycled plastics can cause a wide range of environmental pollution. Biodegradable eco-plastics could provide an alternative to conventional plastics, but there are practical limitations to achieving a better environment due to technical and regulatory constraints. Hence, international treaties such as INC should continue to seek global consensus for sustainable plastic management, while governments, industries, and individuals need to offer their best efforts within their respective capacities. For example, a goal of simplifying the plastic materials used in manufacturing products and ensuring the proper use of the term ‘eco-friendly’ may be achieved through collaboration between government and industry and along with additional efforts by individuals. First, government should establish specific and practical policies and regulations; second, industry should produce environmentally responsible products; and third, individuals should try to reduce their use of disposable items and adopt environmentally friendly consumption patterns. When these efforts come together, it becomes possible to reduce plastic consumption and improve recycling efficiency, ultimately leading to a ‘sustainable plastic world.’

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Background: Southeast Asia faces severe air pollution challenges due to rapid urbanization, industrial activities, and seasonal biomass burning.
Objectives: This study provided a comprehensive understanding of air pollution control strategies in the Southeast Asia region by investigating air quality standards, ambient air quality levels, monitoring capabilities, and air pollution policies across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.
Methods: Ambient air quality standards and information about monitoring stations were collected from government websites and governmental reports. Air pollution data, specifically PM2.5 concentrations, were collected from an open data source named IQAir.com. Air pollution policies were investigated via Google search and the most recently revised policies were incorporated into the findings of this study.
Results: The study found considerable disparities in monitoring networks among ASEAN member states, with national standards often less stringent than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Open data sources revealed that PM2.5 levels in ASEAN member states consistently exceeded WHO guidelines, particularly in the dry season with widespread biomass burning. The policy review revealed that each ASEAN member state presented distinct policies tailored to its air pollution sources and air quality management strategies. These findings underscore the need for both national efforts and cross-border collaboration to effectively address the severe air pollution in the region.
Conclusions: This study could serve as a foundational resource for a deeper understanding of air pollution issues in ASEAN member states and for exploring more effective air pollution management strategies.

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Background: People typically move around rather than remaining in a single microenvironment, leading to diverse activity patterns. Since PM_2.5 concentrations vary depending on these time-activity patterns, exposure assessment based on time-activity patterns is necessary.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess exposure and contribution rates based on activity patterns according to time-activity patterns, aiming to identify behaviors associated with high exposure levels.
Methods: This study analyzed the weekday time-activity patterns of 1,718 respondents in Daegu using data from the 2019 Time-Use Survey by Statistics Korea. The respondents were clustered, and occupational groups were estimated by conducting a frequency analysis of sociodemographic factors. Location and behavior data were collected at 10-minute intervals, followed by exposure scenario construction and active simulations. When calculating the exposure and contribution rates of PM_2.5, the Korean exposure factors handbook was used to account for inhalation rates.
Results: Based on the results of exposure contribution assessment through active simulations, the average concentration by behavior was low for security work (4.99 μg/m³) and meals at school (5.05 μg/m³). In contrast, work at barbecue restaurants and meal preparation showed high concentrations of 350.46 μg/m³ and 54.74 μg/m³, respectively. The contribution rates were highest for barbecue restaurant work (68.75%), meal preparation (32.01%), manufacturing work (21.33%), drinking (16.62%), and eating at restaurants (15.22%). When exposure times were short but involved high-concentration sources, contribution rates increased.
Conclusions: Although exposure durations were short, work (barbecue restaurant) and meal preparation had the highest contribution rates due to high-concentration sources. When exposure times were short but involved high-concentration sources, contribution rates increased. Although cleaning was expected to have a high contribution rate, its impact was minimal. This study can help identify and prioritize behaviors for reducing PM_2.5 concentrations.

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Background: Managing indoor radon is important since it is a known carcinogen. Radon-blocking wallpaper can be a control measure for obstructing the penetration of the gas. Such wallpaper can be implemented in both new and existing buildings.
Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the radon mitigation efficiency of radon blocking wallpaper under various conditions and assess its long-term effectiveness.
Methods: Radon concentrations in closed chambers were measured before and one month after the installation of radon-blocking wallpaper. Additionally, the impact of overlapping widths (single installation, 1, 5, and 10 cm) on blocking efficiency was tested in a closed chamber. In a simulated residential environment, radon concentrations were measured before, immediately upon, and six months after the installation of the radon-blocking wallpaper.
Results: In the one-month experiment, radon concentration in the chamber with radon-blocking wallpaper was found to be lower than in the chamber without it. Overlap tests revealed that overlapping widths did not affect radon mitigation effectiveness. In the simulated residential environment, radon concentrations showed a reduction after the installation of the radon-blocking wallpaper. Six months after installation, the monitoring confirmed that radon concentrations remained well below the indoor radon standard.
Conclusions: This study confirmed that radon-blocking wallpaper was an effective solution for reducing indoor radon concentrations. This study provided an important tool for radon management strategies in residential settings.

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Background: Solid waste incinerators (SWI) impact surrounding residents’ health, mental well-being, property values, and community image. Despite efforts by authorities to address conflicts, negative perceptions of SWI persist.
Objectives: This study aims to examine satisfaction with the surrounding environment and perceptions of SWI operation among residents at varying distances, providing data to improve public perceptions in the area.
Methods: The study focused on an region around a SWI divided into three areas based on distance in one direction: Area A (<0.5 km), Area B (0.5~3.0 km), and Area C (3.0~6.0 km). A survey of 1,400 residents (A=600, B=400, C=400) included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, environmental satisfaction, perception of the environmental, health, psychological, economic impact of the SWI, its operation, and information sources. Responses to each survey item were categorized by area and then frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were performed to compare significant regional differences in the survey results (SPSS 29.0.2.0).
Results: Satisfaction with the surrounding environment was lower in the area closer to the SWI. Residents of this area were more sensitive to air pollution and odors, perceiving the SWI as a source of psychological stress and economic hardship. Residents felt that the lack of information and insufficient efforts by local authorities increased distrust. A “Resident Support Committee” provided information to residents in the nearby area, while other residents relied on informal sources. Use of the city hall website was low in all areas.
Conclusions: This study suggests that the issue of residents’ perceptions regarding the operation of SWI needs to be addressed. Therefore, local authorities have to enhance transparency, regularly disclose updates on SWI operations, and establish communication systems to rebuild trust with residents. Efforts are also needed to more actively incorporate residents’ opinions and engage in various initiatives.

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Background: There is no evaluation or management of environmental low-frequency noise and there are few studies on it, particularly in the area surrounding thermal power plants.
Objectives: This study aimed to conduct continuous measurement of low-frequency noise for 24 hours and cross-measurement from the thermal power plant site boundary line in order to understand the spatial distribution characteristics of low-frequency noise and evaluate it based on the low-frequency noise sound pressure level.
Methods: The low-frequency noise measurement was checked for excess in each frequency band by time at four sites over three consecutive times for 24 hours. Cross-measurements were made for 30 minutes at each of five sites by separation distance from the site boundary line of the thermal power plant. The measurement method was traced to the frequency exceeding nine octave bands (12.5 Hz to 80 Hz) according to the “Low Frequency Noise Guidelines” proposed by the Ministry of Environment. The Z characteristic (dB(Z)) was applied as well.
Results: As a result of the 24-hour continuous measurement, the sound pressure level for each frequency tended to decrease as the separation distance increased. As a result of cross-measurement, in the case of 80 Hz and 63 Hz, all five points exceeded the sound pressure level standard of the Ministry of Environment. In the case of 56 Hz and 40 Hz, the sound pressure level standard was exceeded at the thermal power plant boundary line and thermal power plant boundary line separation distance of 310 m.
Conclusions: In the area surrounding a low-frequency noise source, four frequencies (80 Hz, 63 Hz, 50 Hz, and 40 Hz) were found to have affected the residential area adjacent to the power plant. This study suggests a need for continuous monitoring of residential areas near thermal power plants for low-frequency noise and the establishment of environmental guidelines.

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Background: PM_2.5 absorbs harmful chemicals and can lead to serious illnesses such as cancer, while heavy metals are known to be highly toxic. Compared to the general atmosphere, industrial complexes exhibit higher concentrations of heavy metals, necessitating health assessments for nearby residents. Busan, which has the highest number of industrial complexes in South Korea, is an area likely to display an impact on the health of local residents.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the distribution of PM_2.5 and heavy metal concentrations in the areas surrounding the Sinpyeong and Jangrim industrial complexes and to assess the health risks among nearby residents, providing fundamental data for future environmental improvements in these industrial complexes.
Methods: Heavy metal concentrations in PM_2.5 were measured at five locations near the Sinpyeong and Jangrim industrial complexes in Busan. A concentration distribution analysis and a health risk assessment were conducted for five heavy metals (Ni, As, Cd, Cr⁶⁺, and Mn) based on toxicity information provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Results: The average PM_2.5 concentration at the five measurement locations ranged from 12.87 to 15.42 μg/m³, while the heavy metal concentrations were as follows: Ni 4.14 ng/m³, As 6.22 ng/m³, Cd 1.20 ng/m³, Cr⁶⁺ 0.81 ng/m³, and Mn 14.44 ng/m³. The cancer risk assessment indicated that at both exposure levels (CTE and RME) and across all measurement sites, the concentrations of As and Cr⁶⁺ exceeded the acceptable risk level (1.0E-06) established in this study.
Conclusions: This study analyzed the distribution characteristics of heavy metal concentrations by subdividing the areas near the Sinpyeong and Jangrim industrial complexes in Busan. It confirmed cancer risks associated with inhaling heavy metals through a health risk assessment. The significance of this study lies in identifying priority management targets for consideration when developing future measures to reduce heavy metal exposure.

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Background: COVID19 changed the lives of people all over the world, including emissions and exposure to environmental pollutants.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether there was a difference between the concentration of air pollutants and the internal exposure levels of the South Korean general population before and after the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic.
Methods: For the period from 2018 to 2020, when the Korean National Health and Environmental Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 was conducted, 2018~2019 was classified as pre-COVID and 2020 as COVID, respectively. Air pollution data during this period were obtained from Air Korea (www.airkorea.or.kr). KoNEHS cycle 4 data were used as biomonitoring data to determine internal exposures.
Results: During the COVID period, the concentrations of particulate matter (18.0% for PM_2.5 and 18.4% for PM₁₀) significantly decreased compared to pre-COVID. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons also decreased, but not to a statistically significant degree. The concentrations of urinary mercury, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, cadmium and 1-hydroxyryrene from KoNEHS data decreased significantly during the COVID period.
Conclusions: This study suggests that air pollution and internal exposure levels during COVID were lower than during the pre-COVID pandemic period. These findings indicate that lifestyle changes and reduced activities during the pandemic may have contributed to the observed decrease in environmental exposure.