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Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that accumulate in mothers through daily exposure can be directly transferred to newborns via breastfeeding, potentially resulting in health issues. However, existing studies on PFAS concentrations and exposure through breast milk exhibit significant heterogeneity, hindering systematic comparisons.
Objectives: This study aims to compare the findings of previous studies on PFAS concentrations in breast milk and exposure and identify limitations to suggest directions for future research.
Methods: Using a scoping review methodology, relevant studies were identified from Google Scholar and PubMed that analyzed PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA concentrations in human breast milk. The analyzed variables included target PFAS substances, number of breast milk samples, study countries, limits of detection (LOD) or quantification (LOQ), detection rates, timing of sample collection, analytical methods, and infant PFAS exposure levels.
Results: PFAS concentrations in breast milk (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA) varied depending on sample collection timing, geographical region, milk maturity, maternal characteristics, analytical methods, and detection limits, highlighting significant heterogeneity among studies. Oral exposure to PFAS through breastfeeding in recent studies exceeded the tolerable weekly intake (TWI), indicating potential risks to infants.
Conclusions: This study underscores the need for additional research to accurately assess PFAS contamination and exposure in breast milk and facilitate quantitative comparisons between studies. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of policy interventions to reduce maternal exposure to PFAS, ensuring better health outcomes for infants and mothers alike.

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Background: Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with socioeconomic factors such as income and education, and early-life exposure may increase the risk of immune suppression, allergies, and infections.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between PFAS and atopic dermatitis (AD) among adolescents in South Korea.
Methods: Data on 825 adolescents from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) were analyzed, including serum concentrations of five PFAS types: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA). Adolescents diagnosed with AD by a physician and exhibiting skin lesions were classified as current AD patients. Chi-squared test, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression accounting for the complex survey design were used to assess the effects of PFAS concentrations on AD.
Results: Significant differences were found between AD patients and non-patients in total IgE levels and in the proportion of households that had remodeled their home or purchased new furniture within six months. PFAS concentrations were associated with age, sex, type of house, house construction year, mother’s education, and seafood intake within one week. Serum PFNA and PFDeA levels were significantly higher in AD patients than in non-patients. Logistic regression showed that PFOS, PFNA, and PFDeA increased AD risk, especially among subjects with lower IgE levels.
Conclusions: PFAS exposure significantly affects AD prevalence among Korean adolescents. Given the persistence of PFAS in the body, longitudinal studies are required to assess its health effects during adolescence. Since PFAS persists in the body for a considerable time, implementing PFAS exposure reduction strategies could contribute to improving public health in the long term. Furthermore, follow-up studies are needed to investigate the health effects of PFAS, not only during childhood but also throughout adolescence.

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Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common allergic diseases. Environmental factors such as air pollution from vehicles and factories and changes in climate serve as risk factors.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between ozone (O₃) concentrations and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and outpatient department (OPD) and emergency department (ED) visits for AR in Daejeon, South Korea from 2013 through 2017.
Methods: Data from the National Health Insurance Service Environmental Database from 2013 through 2017 were utilized in this study. A generalized additive model with quasi–Poisson regression was used to assess the association between air pollutants and AR. Lag effects of air pollutants were considered for up to seven days. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, age, and season.
Results: The average daily number of OPD visits for AR was 11,850, and the average daily number of ED visits was 23. Both PM_2.5 and O₃ were found to influence OPD and ED visits for AR. The effects of PM_2.5 and O₃ exhibited a similar pattern on both OPD and ED visits for AR. In the subgroup analysis, the strongest effects of PM_2.5 on OPD visits were observed among females and individuals aged 5~19 and those on ED visits were observed among females and individuals aged 0~4. O₃ showed the most significant effect both on OPD and ED visits among people aged 5~19. In the seasonal analysis, the PM_2.5 effect on OPD visits was stronger in the cold season and that on ED visits was stronger in the warm season. The O₃ effect both on OPD and ED visits was stronger in the cold season.
Conclusions: This study confirmed the association between air pollutants and OPD and ED visits for AR in Daejeon. The findings can help establish strategies for managing AR in the city.

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Background: Environmental risk factors contribute to approximately 12% of the global disease burden, with ambient air pollution linked to an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths annually. Among air pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of particular concern due to their potential health effects, including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify potential sources of VOC emissions by integrating real-time measurements with civil complaint data, focusing on locations and time periods with frequent odor-related grievances. Additionally, inhalation exposure and associated health risks were assessed across different age groups.
Methods: A pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) was utilized to combine data on industrial complex locations, major industries, and chemical emissions and transfers with civil complaint data. Measurements were conducted based on the residential areas of nearby community members. VOCs were classified into non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic substances, and inhalation exposure and risk assessments were conducted.
Results: The average concentration of airborne VOCs was highest for acetaldehyde (9.35 μg/m³) and lowest for styrene (0.22 μg/m³). Airborne VOCs showed no potential health risks for the four non-carcinogenic substances across all age groups, while the four carcinogenic substances posed potential health risks, excluding the 13~18 age group exposed to acetaldehyde. The correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) results identified three distinct clusters.
Conclusions: This study analyzed airborne VOCs in Dalseong-gun, Daegu in order to assess the health risks of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic substances and identified their primary sources. The source tracking method presented in this study can identify major emission sources in specific areas, allowing effective mitigation strategies and tailored environmental management plans.